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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, George at the Fort, by Harry Castlemon
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: George at the Fort
+       Life Among the Soldiers
+
+
+Author: Harry Castlemon
+
+
+
+Release Date: June 2, 2007  [eBook #21664]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GEORGE AT THE FORT***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Edwards, Marcia Brooks, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) from digital
+material generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries
+(http://www.archive.org/details/americana)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 21664-h.htm or 21664-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/6/21664/21664-h/21664-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/6/21664/21664-h.zip)
+
+
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive/American Libraries. See
+      http://www.archive.org/details/georgeatthefort00castrich
+
+
+
+
+
+Roughing It Series.
+
+GEORGE AT THE FORT;
+
+Or,
+
+Life Among the Soldiers.
+
+by
+
+HARRY CASTLEMON,
+
+Author of "The Gunboat Series," "The Sportsman's Club Series,"
+"The Boy Trapper Series," Etc.
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+Philadelphia:
+Porter & Coates.
+
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+
+FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.
+
+_Each volume handsomely illustrated and bound in fine extra cloth, black
+and gold stamp. 16mo._
+
+GUNBOAT SERIES. 6 vols.
+
+FRANK THE YOUNG NATURALIST.
+FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI.
+FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG.
+FRANK ON THE PRAIRIE.
+FRANK IN THE WOODS.
+FRANK ON A GUNBOAT.
+
+ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+FRANK AMONG THE RANCHEROS.
+FRANK AT DON CARLOS' RANCHO.
+FRANK IN THE MOUNTAINS.
+
+SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB IN THE SADDLE.
+THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AFLOAT.
+THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE TRAPPERS.
+
+FRANK NELSON SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+SNOWED UP; OR, THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB IN THE MOUNTAINS.
+FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE.
+THE BOY TRADERS; OR, THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE BOERS.
+
+BOY TRAPPER SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+THE BURIED TREASURE; OR, OLD JORDAN'S HAUNT.
+THE BOY TRAPPER; OR, HOW DAVE FILLED THE ORDER.
+THE MAIL-CARRIER.
+
+ROUGHING IT SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+GEORGE IN CAMP; OR, LIFE ON THE PLAINS.
+GEORGE AT THE WHEEL; OR, LIFE IN A PILOT HOUSE.
+GEORGE AT THE FORT; OR, LIFE AMONG THE SOLDIERS.
+
+GO AHEAD SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+GO AHEAD; OR, THE FISHER BOY'S MOTTO.
+NO MOSS; OR, THE CAREER OF A ROLLING STONE.
+TOM NEWCOMBE; OR, THE BOY OF BAD HABITS.
+
+_Other Volumes in Preparation._
+
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+
+Copyright, 1882, by Porter & Coates.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                       PAGE
+CHAPTER I.
+DISCONTENTED RECRUITS                     5
+
+CHAPTER II.
+AN OLD FRIEND TURNS UP                   24
+
+CHAPTER III.
+BOB'S FIRST COMMAND                      45
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING                   66
+
+CHAPTER V.
+THE NEW SCOUT                            90
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+AN UNEXPECTED GUEST                     113
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+HOW BRYANT WAS CAPTURED                 137
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+GEORGE AT THE FORT                      159
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING         179
+
+CHAPTER X.
+HOW GEORGE SAVED THE CAMP               200
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKES                  222
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+ANOTHER FEATHER FOR BOB'S CAP           242
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+HE WINS IT FAIRLY                       262
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+"THREE CHEERS FOR THE 'BRINDLES'!"      282
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+MORE BAD LUCK FOR MR. WENTWORTH         303
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+CONCLUSION                              327
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+AN UNEXPECTED GUEST            facing page     6
+
+STORMING THE DUG-OUT             "     "      84
+
+BOB CAPTURES THE DESERTER        "     "     146
+
+TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKE            "     "     280
+
+
+
+
+GEORGE AT THE FORT.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+DISCONTENTED RECRUITS.
+
+
+"Captain, this thing must be stopped. I say it must be stopped, even if
+we have to resort to summary measures. We must find out who the
+ringleaders are, and make an example of them."
+
+The speaker was Colonel Brown, the commanding officer of Fort Lamoine.
+As he uttered these emphatic words he slammed a paper-weight down upon a
+pile of reports which the adjutant had just brought in, and, settling
+back in his chair, looked sharply at the officer who stood in front of
+the table. The red sash the latter wore around his waist proclaimed him
+to be the officer of the day.
+
+"How many did you say there were in the party who deserted last night?"
+continued the colonel.
+
+"Seven, sir," replied the officer of the day, "and there is a list of
+their names. They took no horses with them, but they each secured a
+carbine and a box of cartridges."
+
+"That makes thirty men who have deserted since I took command of this
+post," said the colonel, angrily, "and not more than half of them have
+been captured.--Orderly, tell Corporal Owens I want to see him. He is
+one of the few non-commissioned officers in the command whom I am not
+afraid to trust.--Captain, have six picked men, with two days' rations,
+detailed to go with him in pursuit of these deserters. He can find and
+arrest them if anybody can."
+
+[Illustration: An Unexpected Guest.]
+
+The officer of the day closed the door of the colonel's head-quarters
+behind him, and in a few minutes the orderly opened it again to admit a
+sturdy young soldier, about eighteen years old, who wore upon his arms
+the yellow _chevrons_ of a corporal of cavalry. This was Bob Owens--the
+boy who stole the _mail-carrier's_ hard-earned money and ran away from
+home to enjoy it. He had not changed much in appearance. He had grown
+taller and his shoulders were broader, but any one who had known him
+before he entered the army would have recognized him now. The fact that
+he had been selected to perform the hazardous duty of pursuing and
+arresting the deserters who had left the fort the night before fully
+armed, and who would not hesitate to make a desperate resistance rather
+than allow themselves to be taken back to stand the punishment that
+would be inflicted upon them by a court-martial, and the colonel's
+declaration that he was one of the few non-commissioned officers in the
+command whom he was not afraid to trust, seemed to indicate that our old
+friend Bob had won a reputation since he enlisted in Galveston, nearly a
+year ago, and done something to win the confidence of his superiors. Let
+us go back and see what it was.
+
+The last time we saw Bob Owens he was just coming out of a
+recruiting-office, having enlisted in the regular cavalry and sworn away
+his liberty for a long term of years. He did not take this step of his
+own free will, but was driven to it by force of circumstances.
+
+When Bob found Dan Evans in his camp in the woods and stole from him the
+money that David, with Dan and Bert Gordon's assistance, had earned by
+trapping quails, he ran away from home, and after escaping from the
+constable who arrested him at Linwood on suspicion of being a
+horse-thief he took passage on board the steamer Sam Kendall for St.
+Louis. While he was on the steamer he made the acquaintance of George
+Ackerman, who was one of the pilots, and whom he twice saved from
+drowning. George owned an extensive cattle-ranche in Texas, which was
+held in trust for him by his uncle, John Ackerman, who was his guardian.
+After the Sam Kendall was burned he tried to show his gratitude to his
+preserver, whom he believed to be alone in the world, by offering him a
+home at his house. At first Bob was inclined to refuse. His imagination
+having been excited by the cheap novels he had read, he had left home
+intending to go on the Plains and make himself famous as a hunter and
+Indian-fighter; but George, who had seen more than one professional
+hunter in his frontier home, said so much against it, and painted the
+poverty and worthlessness of this class of men, and the dangers of the
+life they led, in such gloomy colors, that Bob was finally induced to
+give up his long-cherished idea, and to consent to accompany his new
+friend to his home in Texas. As George had no money, Bob footed all
+their bills, and in due time, in spite of the efforts which Uncle John
+Ackerman made to separate them in New Orleans, they arrived in
+Galveston.
+
+They had scarcely stepped ashore before their troubles began in earnest.
+Bob's pocket was picked while he was passing through the crowd on the
+wharf, and the boys found themselves alone in a strange city, without
+money enough in their possession to pay for supper or lodging, and no
+friend to whom they could go for assistance. They spent the night on the
+streets, keeping constantly in motion to avoid attracting the attention
+of the police, and when morning came they found a good-natured grocer
+who gave them a breakfast of crackers and cheese, and provided George
+with the means of writing to Mr Gilbert for money to pay his fare and
+Bob's by rail and stage-coach to Palos. If they could only reach that
+place, their troubles would be over, for George was well known there,
+and everybody would be ready to lend him and his new friend a helping
+hand. But Mr. Gilbert lived a long way from Galveston, the mail
+facilities between Palos and his rancho were none of the best, and the
+boys were utterly at a loss to determine how they were going to exist
+during the two or three weeks that must elapse before George could
+receive an answer to his letter.
+
+The two friends passed the day in roaming about the city looking for
+work, but nobody needed them. When the afternoon began drawing to a
+close they were almost tired out, and George talked of going to some
+station-house to spend the night--a project to which Bob could not bear
+to listen. The idea of having a policeman's key turned upon him was
+dreadful; the bare thought of it was enough to make him gasp for breath.
+As he walked along the streets he was continually searching his pockets
+in the faint hope of finding the missing money tucked away in some
+unexplored corner, and finally he discovered fifty cents in currency in
+the watch-pocket of his trousers. His heart bounded at the sight of it.
+It was enough to provide him with supper and a night's lodging, but was
+not enough to pay for the same comforts for George.
+
+When Bob found this stray piece of currency he was not long in making up
+his mind how to act. He resolved to slip away from George, and
+accomplished his purpose by gradually slackening his pace and allowing
+the young pilot to get some distance in advance of him, and then he
+turned down a cross-street and took to his heels. He made his way to a
+cheap lodging-house, ate a hearty supper and went to bed, wondering how
+George was getting on and where he would pass the night. The latter, as
+we know, fared much better than Bob did, and the latter made a great
+mistake in deserting him. His companion had not been gone more than a
+half an hour before George encountered Mr. Gilbert, the friend to whom
+he had written that morning, and who had come to Galveston on business.
+The two looked everywhere for Bob, but were finally obliged to abandon
+the search. The missing boy had disappeared as completely as though the
+earth had opened and swallowed him up.
+
+The first question that forced itself upon the mind of Bob Owens when he
+awoke the next morning was, "What shall I do next?" A careful
+examination of all his pockets showed him that there were no more
+fifty-cent pieces in them, and he was obliged to confess to himself that
+the future looked exceedingly dark. He walked the streets in a very
+disconsolate frame of mind, and had almost decided that he would step
+into the nearest grocery-store and ask the proprietor if he would not
+give him a job of sawing wood to pay for something to eat, when he
+happened to pass a recruiting-office. A sign posted up in front of the
+door conveyed to the public the information that men were wanted there
+for the United States cavalry service, and suggested an idea to Bob. He
+took a few minutes in which to run it over in his mind, and then faced
+about and entered the office.
+
+The law against enlisting minors without the consent of their parents or
+guardians is very strict, but Bob got around it by repeating the story
+he had told George Ackerman, that he was an orphan, and that there was
+no one who had a right to control his actions. The recruiting-officer
+was a young man, not more than two or three years older than himself,
+but he had seen service away up in the Yellowstone country, and the scar
+on his forehead, which was not yet fully healed, marked the track of the
+Indian bullet which had come very near putting an end to his career as a
+soldier. Being unable to do duty in the field, he had been sent to Texas
+to recuperate his health and to recruit men to fill up some of the
+depleted cavalry regiments. He questioned Bob very closely, but the
+latter gave satisfactory replies, and, having passed the surgeon, his
+"descriptive list" was taken and he was duly sworn into the service.
+There were a number of newly-enlisted men hanging about the office
+waiting to be ordered to some post, and one of them, who acted as
+quartermaster-sergeant, took Bob into a back room and served out a
+uniform to him.
+
+"What shall I do with my citizen's rig?" asked Bob as he twisted himself
+first on one side and then on the other to see how he looked in his new
+clothes. "I suppose I can't keep it?"
+
+"Of course not," was the sergeant's quick reply. "It would come too
+handy in case you should make up your mind to desert."
+
+"I shall never make up my mind to any such thing," exclaimed Bob,
+indignantly. "I have gone into this business with my eyes open, and I am
+going to see it through."
+
+"That's the right spirit," said the sergeant. "But wait till you have
+ridden twelve hundred miles at a stretch in pursuit of a band of
+hostiles, and perhaps you'll weaken."
+
+"What do you know about hostiles?" asked Bob.
+
+"Well, I should think I ought to know all about them, for I have been
+there. This is my third enlistment in the regular army."
+
+"Is that so?" exclaimed Bob. "I should think that after so many years'
+service you ought to be an officer."
+
+"I was a non-com when I was discharged, and that is as high as any
+enlisted man can get now," replied the soldier. "I was a captain during
+the war, but they don't take men out of the ranks and make officers of
+them any more. When I enlisted this time I had to go in as a private;
+but I have my old warrants in my pocket, and perhaps they will help me
+get a new one when I reach the post where I am to serve."
+
+"What's a non-com?" asked Bob.
+
+"Why, a non-commissioned officer," answered the soldier, staring at Bob
+as if he were surprised at his ignorance. "You never did any soldiering,
+I'll bet."
+
+"No, I never did," replied the recruit; "this is my first experience."
+
+"And before you get through with it you will wish that you had never had
+any experience at all."
+
+"Don't you think I shall like the army?"
+
+"Well, I know _I_ don't like it."
+
+"Then why did you enlist again?"
+
+"Because I couldn't do anything else. A man who has soldiered for nearly
+fourteen years isn't fit for civil life. Now, make your citizen's
+clothes into a bundle and take them around the corner to a little Jew
+store you will find there. Mose buys all the recruits' cast-off
+clothing. He'll not give you much for them, but the little he will give
+you will keep you in gingerbread as long as you stay in the city."
+
+"How long do you suppose that will be?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know, but if recruits keep coming in as rapidly as
+they have during the last few days, the lieutenant will probably take a
+squad off next week."
+
+"Where will he take it?"
+
+"That's a conundrum. A private never knows where he is going until he
+gets there."
+
+"Where do you eat and sleep?"
+
+"We take our meals at the restaurant next door, and having no bunks we
+sleep on the benches in the office. You can go about the city as much as
+you please, but you must be sure and report at meal-time. If you fail to
+do that, you will have the police after you."
+
+"Why will I?" asked Bob in surprise.
+
+"Because the lieutenant will think you have deserted."
+
+Bob was beginning to feel the tight rein of military discipline
+already. At home he had always been accustomed to go and come when he
+pleased, and he did not like the idea of having his liberty restricted
+or of being obliged to obey without question the orders of a boy
+scarcely older than himself. But it was too late to think of that now.
+The youthful officer was backed up by the entire military and police
+force of the United States, and there was no such thing as getting out
+of reach of his authority.
+
+"I am in for it," thought Bob as he rolled up his clothes and started
+for the little Jew store around the corner, "but I don't know that I
+could have done anything else. I shall have plenty to eat and a place to
+sleep, and at the same time I shall be earning money to pay off that
+debt I owe Dave Evans. What an idiot I was to keep that money! To pay
+for that one act of folly and dishonesty I am compelled to waste some of
+the best years of my life in the army. I hope I shall get a chance to
+show them that I am no coward, if I am a greenhorn."
+
+It was little indeed that Mose gave Bob for the articles he had to offer
+for sale--just four dollars for clothing that had cost over thirty; but
+those four dollars made him feel a little more independent. They
+brought him a few delicacies to supplement the plain fare that was
+served up to him and his companions at the cheap restaurant at which
+they took their meals, and were the means of gaining him the friendship
+of one of the recruits, Bristow by name, who stuck to him like a leech
+until the last cent had been expended.
+
+Bob remained in Galveston nearly two weeks, and during that time he saw
+everything of interest there was to be seen in the city. Then he began
+to grow tired of having nothing to do, and took to hanging about the
+office as the others did, and making comments upon those who presented
+themselves for enlistment. He was glad indeed when the lieutenant
+mustered all the recruits one night and ordered them to report at the
+office the next morning at nine o'clock, sharp; but he was provoked
+because the officer did not tell them where they were going. This,
+however, only proved the truth of the old sergeant's words--that a
+private never knew where he was going until he got there. Bob knew that
+they were bound for Brownsville when a steamer landed them there a few
+hours later, and he found out that they were going from there to Fort
+Lamoine when they arrived at that post after a weary tramp of more than
+three hundred miles.
+
+The recruits camped beside the trail at night, and during the daytime
+plodded along behind the army-wagon which contained their tents,
+blankets, rations and cooking-utensils. It was very fatiguing to all of
+them, and it was not long before Bob began to learn something of the
+dispositions of the men with whom he was to be intimately associated
+during his term of enlistment. The majority of them grumbled lustily,
+and even talking of deserting, and there were not more than two or three
+besides himself who bore the discomforts of the march with anything like
+patience. There was not much restriction placed upon their actions, and,
+although they were not permitted to stray away from the line of march
+during the daytime, they were allowed to visit any ranches or
+farm-houses that might be in the neighborhood of their camping-grounds.
+The people they met along the route were very liberal with the products
+of their gardens and with their milk, butter and eggs, and the recruits
+fared sumptuously every day; but it would have been much better for some
+of them if they had remained in camp at night and left the settlers
+entirely alone. Not a few of the men with whom they exchanged civilities
+unconsciously sowed among them seeds of discontent that were destined
+eventually to bear a fruitful crop of trouble. By endeavoring to live up
+to the sentiments they heard expressed on every hand, more than one of
+the recruits found themselves landed in the military prison at Fort
+Leavenworth.
+
+"I don't see why you chaps swear away your liberty, and work for
+thirteen dollars a month, when you might just as well get forty and be
+free men," said a rancheman one night, after he has given Bob and three
+companions, one of whom was Bristow, all the milk he had to spare.
+"You'll soon get enough of soldiering, _I_ tell you. I know, for I have
+tried it. It is a heap easier to ride around on your horse and watch
+your cattle while they are fattening themselves for market on the rich
+grass."
+
+"But we don't happen to have any cattle to watch," said Bob.
+
+"Who would give us forty dollars a month?" demanded Bristow, who was one
+of the loudest and most persistent grumblers among the recruits.
+
+"You could get it almost anywhere in this country," replied the
+rancheman. "I'd give it to you, for one, and I know of a dozen others
+who stand ready to snap up the first man that comes along, no odds
+whether he ever herded cattle or not. You have made precious fools of
+yourselves, and you'll get a fool's reward. You'll have mean grub, hard
+work and poor pay, and be niggers to every little snipe who wears a
+shoulder-strap."
+
+"We've found that out already--haven't we, boys?" said Bristow, as he
+and his companions reluctantly took leave of the hospitable rancheman
+and retraced their steps toward the camp. "We _are_ precious fools to
+work for thirteen dollars, when we might just as well earn three times
+that amount, and be our own masters besides. There is no need that
+anybody should tell us that our officers will treat us like niggers, for
+we have found that out too. Look at that lieutenant! He rides in the
+wagon every day, while we have to hoof it."
+
+"But you must remember that he is not strong," said Bob. "He has not yet
+fully recovered from the effects of his wound."
+
+"I don't believe a word of it," declared Bristow. "He's just as able to
+march and cook his own grub and pitch his own tent as we are. It makes
+me sick to see how that man Haskins waits on him." (Haskins was the one
+who had served out clothing to the recruits in Galveston.) "But a blind
+man could see what he is working for," added Bristow. "He wants to get
+into the good graces of the lieutenant, hoping that he will be
+recommended for a non-com's position when we reach the fort. I tell you
+I have seen enough of soldiering already, and the very first chance I
+get I am going to skip out."
+
+"I'll go with you," said one of the recruits.
+
+"All right! Shake on that."
+
+"You may depend upon me," said the recruit as he grasped Bristow's
+proffered hand. "Do you remember that big-whiskered, loud-voiced
+rancheman who gave us the potatoes the other night? He is sadly in need
+of help, and he told me that if I would come to his house, bringing
+three or four friends with me, he would give us citizens' clothes and
+hide us until the officers gave up looking for us. All he asked was,
+that we should agree to work for him for twelve months, and promise not
+to leave without giving him due notice."
+
+"I am in for that," exclaimed the recruit who had not spoken
+before.--"What do you say, Owens?"
+
+"I say I am _out_ of it," was the quick reply. "If I did a thing like
+that, I never could look a white man in the face again. I have been
+guilty of a good many mean acts during my life--some that I would gladly
+recall if I could--but I am not mean enough to desert. Besides, I have
+no desire to have a bullet sent into me."
+
+Bob's companions did not know whether to be surprised or angry at this
+plain speech. They stared hard at him for a moment, and then Bristow
+said,
+
+"Are you really afraid of being shot? Well, I can set your fears on that
+score at rest. I know that the penalty for desertion in the face of the
+enemy is death, but we are not in the face of the enemy now. The country
+is at peace."
+
+"I know it is nominally so," answered Bob, "but it is not so in reality,
+and never will be so long as these hostile Indians and lawless Mexicans
+continue to raid over the Texas border. If you skip out, as you threaten
+to do, you may rest assured that you will be brought back by force of
+arms, and if you resist you will be shot."
+
+"How does it come that you know so much more than the rest of us?"
+demanded Bristow angrily. "You are not an old soldier."
+
+"I am aware of that fact, but I have been talking to an old soldier, and
+that was Haskins. He told me that Major Elliot, one of General Custer's
+officers, pursued a party of deserters, and when they resisted he shot
+three of them; and Haskins himself was one of the squad that did the
+shooting."
+
+"I don't believe a word of it," exclaimed Bristow.
+
+"Neither do I," said another of the recruits. "Of course we expect to be
+pursued, but we shall take good care that we are not caught. Any of
+these ranchemen who want herdsmen will furnish us with citizens'
+clothing, and before our year is out the thing will blow over, and then
+we'll go home, and stay there."
+
+"It won't blow over as easily as you think for," said Bob. "It will be
+known to your home authorities and to everybody else that you are
+deserters, and all the detectives in the United States will be on the
+lookout for you. If you want to live in constant fear of arrest, you can
+do it, but I won't."
+
+Bob stuck to his resolution, and his discontented companions stuck to
+theirs. We shall see in due time which of the four made the wisest
+decision.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+AN OLD FRIEND TURNS UP.
+
+
+The long, toilsome journey was completed at last, and late one afternoon
+the weary and footsore recruits found themselves drawn up in line on the
+parade-ground at Fort Lamoine. After the roll had been called and the
+colonel commanding the post had hurriedly inspected them, they were
+turned over to a sergeant, who marched them into the barracks. There
+they found about two hundred or more soldiers, who, as soon as the order
+was given to "break ranks," crowded about them inquiring for late papers
+and asking a thousand and one questions in regard to what was going on
+in the States.
+
+Learning from the sergeant that no duty would be required of him that
+day, Bob spread his blankets in one of the empty bunks, and, stretching
+himself upon them, placed his hands under his head and looked about him
+with no little curiosity. Presently a young trooper, a boy about his
+own age, who looked as though he were just recovering from a long siege
+of sickness, approached, and, seating himself on the edge of Bob's bunk,
+began a conversation with him. Those of our readers who have met this
+boy before in citizen's dress might have seen something familiar about
+him, but still it is doubtful if they would have recognized in
+him--Well, we will let him reveal his identity. After a few commonplace
+remarks Bob inquired, as he nodded his head toward a soldier who was
+hobbling about the room with the aid of a crutch,
+
+"What's the matter with that man?"
+
+"Raiders," was the sententious reply.
+
+"Been in a fight?" asked Bob.
+
+The young soldier nodded his head.
+
+"How long since?"
+
+"Last full moon."
+
+"I hope these fights don't occur very often."
+
+"Well, they do--much oftener than I wish they did. I have been in two
+pretty hard ones, and that's enough for me. I suppose we shall have more
+of them now, for I understand that we have received orders to follow the
+raiders across the river and thrash them wherever they can be found."
+
+"Were you wounded in one of those fights?" asked Bob. "Then you must be
+sick," he added when the boy shook his head.
+
+"Yes, I am sick," was the reply--"homesick and sick at heart. I have
+been in the army nearly two years and a half, and I don't see how I can
+live to serve out the rest of my time. I am dying by inches."
+
+"What did you come into the army for, anyhow?"
+
+"Because I was a fool," answered the young soldier bitterly.
+
+"Shake," exclaimed Bob, extending his hand; "I came in for the same
+reason."
+
+"Did your parents give their consent?" asked his new acquaintance.
+
+"No, they didn't. They live in Mississippi, and don't know anything
+about it."
+
+Bob's long tramp had taken a good deal of spirit out of him, and somehow
+he could not muster up energy enough to tell any more falsehoods
+concerning himself.
+
+"My parents live in Ohio," said the soldier.
+
+"Then how in the world did you happen to stray down here to Texas?"
+asked Bob.
+
+"I ran away from home."
+
+"Shake," said Bob, again extending his hand; "that's just what I did."
+
+The two runaways shook each other's hands in the most cordial manner,
+and instantly all reserve between them vanished. They were companions in
+misery and united by a bond of sympathy. The young soldier at once
+became very communicative. He had closely guarded his secret for more
+than two years, because there was not one among the rough men by whom he
+was surrounded who could understand or appreciate his feelings. But here
+was one who could sympathize with him, and it was a great relief to him
+to know that he could speak freely and run no risk of being laughed at
+for his weakness.
+
+"My name is Gus Robbins," said he, moving up a little closer to Bob and
+speaking in a low, confidential tone. "I had as good a home as any boy
+need wish for, but I wasn't contented there; still, I don't believe that
+I ever should have left it as I did if circumstances had not smoothed
+the way for me. My father is the senior partner in the largest dry-goods
+store in Foxboro', and he had in his employ two persons, father and son,
+who are in a great measure responsible for all the trouble I have got
+into. The buy was a clerk like myself, and his father was our
+bookkeeper. They had a very wealthy relative, a rancheman, living here
+in Texas, and when that relative died it was found that he had willed
+his property to our bookkeeper, to be held in trust for his (the
+rancheman's) son. They came to Texas to take charge of the estate, and
+after a while I received a letter from Ned (that was the boy's name)
+inviting me to pay him a visit. As he sent me money enough to bear the
+expenses of the journey, I came; and I am very sorry for it. We got
+ourselves into trouble by shooting some cattle that had broken into
+Ned's wheat-field, and had to dig out for Brownsville at a gallop. Ned
+went squarely back on me, and as I had no money to pay my way home, and
+hadn't the cheek to ask my father for it, I did what I thought to be the
+next best thing--I enlisted. I am very sorry for that too, for there was
+where I made my mistake. I ought to have gone back into the country and
+hired out to some stock-raiser. Then I could have gone home as soon as I
+had earned and saved money enough to take me there; but now I must stay
+my time out; that is, unless--"
+
+Gus paused and looked at Bob. The latter understood him. Here was
+another fellow who had made up his mind to desert at the first
+opportunity.
+
+"Don't do that," said Bob, earnestly. "You'll only get yourself into
+trouble if you attempt it."
+
+"I don't care if I am shot for it. I'll make a break for liberty the
+very first good chance I get."
+
+The tone in which these words were uttered satisfied Bob that it would
+be of no use whatever to argue the matter. It was plain that Gus had
+made up his mind after mature deliberation, and that he was not to be
+easily turned from his purpose.
+
+"Where did your friend Ned go after you reached Brownsville?" asked Bob,
+who was much interested in the young soldier's story.
+
+"I don't know; I left him at the hotel. He will come to some bad end,
+and so will his father, for they are both rascals. The property of which
+they have charge, and which brings in a big fortune every year,
+rightfully belongs to George Ackerman, Ned's cousin; but Ned and his
+father--"
+
+"George Ackerman?" exclaimed Bob, starting up in his bunk.
+
+Gus nodded his head, and looked at the recruit in great surprise.
+
+"Is he a cub pilot?" continued the latter.
+
+"'A cub pilot'?" repeated Gus. "No, he's a herdsman, or I ought rather
+to say he _was_ a herdsman. He had stock of his own worth six thousand
+dollars. Where he is now I don't know, for on the morning after we left
+his ranche, while we were camped in the edge of the timber making up for
+the sleep we had lost the night before, we were surprised by a couple of
+Greasers, who made a prisoner of George and carried him across the river
+into Mexico. I don't know what they did with him, for all George could
+induce them to say was that 'Fletcher wanted to see him.'"
+
+"It's the same fellow," exclaimed Bob, rising from his blanket and
+seating himself on the edge of the bunk by his companion's side. "He
+told me all about it, but his story was so very remarkable that I didn't
+know whether to believe it or not. He gave those Greasers the slip,
+secured a berth as cub pilot on a Mississippi River steamer, and that
+was where I found him."
+
+With this introduction Bob went on to tell how he had saved George from
+going to the bottom when Uncle John Ackerman pushed him overboard from
+the Sam Kendall; related all the thrilling incidents connected with the
+burning of the steamer; described how Uncle John had tried to separate
+them in New Orleans; in short, he gave a truthful account of his
+intercourse with the cub pilot up to the time he deserted him in
+Galveston. Bob was heartily ashamed of that now, and could not bear to
+speak of it.
+
+"I became separated from him in some way--it is very easy to lose a
+companion in the crowded streets of a city, you know--and that was the
+last I saw of him," said Bob in conclusion; and when he told this he
+forgot that he had afterward seen George go into a hotel accompanied by
+Mr. Gilbert. "Then I didn't know what to do. I had no money; I was
+hungry and sleepy, utterly discouraged; and, like you, I sought to end
+my troubles by enlisting. I see now that I made a great mistake, but I
+am going to serve faithfully during my term of enlistment, if I live. Is
+George's ranche far from here?"
+
+"I don't know, for I am not much acquainted with the country east of
+here, never having scouted in that direction. It is about one hundred
+and fifty miles from Palos, if you know where that is. As you are
+George's friend, I am sorry that you enlisted, for I know that you are
+going to have a hard time of it; but since you _did_ enlist, I am glad
+you were ordered to this post, for misery loves company, you know. Let's
+walk out on the parade, where we can talk without danger of being
+overheard. Perhaps you would like to take a look at the place which will
+always be associated in your mind with the most unhappy days of your
+existence."
+
+It was plain that Gus took a very gloomy view of things, and of course
+his discouraging remarks made an impression upon Bob, although they did
+not take away the interest he felt in his surroundings. Everything was
+new to him, and he asked a great many questions as he and Gus walked
+slowly around the parade toward the stables.
+
+Fort Lamoine was situated on a high, rocky eminence which overlooked the
+surrounding country for half a dozen miles or more in every direction.
+The stockade, which enclosed about two acres of ground, was built of
+upright logs deeply sunk in the earth. The tops were sawed off level,
+and a heavy plate of timber, through which stout wooden pins had been
+driven into the end of each log, held them firmly in their place. The
+officers' quarters, barracks, store-houses and stables were built in
+the same manner. On the outside of the parade were long rows of stately
+cottonwood trees, interspersed with shrubs and flowers. In one corner,
+on the right-hand side of the principal gate, was the well that supplied
+the garrison with water, and in the other was the flagstaff, from which
+floated the Stars and Stripes.
+
+"Emblem of liberty!" said Gus with a sneer as he pointed up at the
+flag--"emblem of tyranny, rather."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" demanded Bob quickly.
+
+"Oh, you will find out before you have been here long," replied Gus,
+shaking his head and looking very wise. "A bigger lot of tyrants than
+the officers who command us were never crowded into any one post."
+
+"Perhaps you don't do your duty as well as you might?" mildly suggested
+Bob.
+
+"I know I don't. I do no more than I am obliged to do, I tell you, and
+for the simple reason that I didn't enlist to act as lackey to a lot of
+shoulder-straps. I am just as good as they are, but they say I am not.
+Why, the last time the paymaster was here his little snipe of a clerk
+remarked in my hearing that enlisted men were nothing more than servants
+to the officers. What do you think of that?"
+
+Bob did not know what to think of it, so he said nothing in reply. He
+simply resolved that he would not pass judgment upon his superiors until
+he had had some experience with them himself.
+
+"This is by no means the gloomy place that I expected to find it," said
+Bob as he and Gus resumed their walk.
+
+"Oh, the fort itself is good enough," replied Gus; "it's the people who
+live in it that I object to. If one could pick his own company, and
+could do as he pleased, he might manage to live here for a few years
+very comfortably; but we have to associate with some rough characters
+there in the barracks, and the officers hold us with our noses close to
+the grindstone all the time. They look upon a private as little better
+than a dog, and they'll slap him into the guard-house on the slightest
+provocation. Now, this is one of the stables; it will accommodate
+seventy horses. Those you see in here are blooded animals, and they
+belong to the officers. The government horses are always picketed
+outside, except when there is danger of a visit from the raiders, and
+then they are brought in for safe-keeping. Now, take a good look at the
+stable, and then come out and take another look at the stockade. Every
+night there are two sentries placed over this stable--one at the front,
+and the other at the rear, between the stable and the stockade--and a
+guard sleeps inside. Would you believe that, after all these
+precautions, it would be possible for anybody to come into the fort and
+steal a horse?"
+
+Bob said he would not.
+
+"Well, it was done not more than two weeks ago," continued Gus. "One
+stormy night these two logs were removed from the stockade, and four of
+the best horses in the stable were run off. It must have taken hours to
+do the work, and although the sentries were changed while it was going
+on, no one knew that a theft had been committed until the next morning."
+
+"Who did it?" inquired Bob.
+
+"A couple of Comanches, who were surprised and killed by the squad that
+was sent in pursuit of them. The Comanches are acknowledged, even by the
+Indians themselves, to be the most expert horse-thieves on the Plains.
+Why, one night, when a scouting-party to which I was attached were in
+camp and fast asleep, a Comanche crept up and stole the lieutenant's
+horse; and in order to do it he had to cut the lariat that was tied to
+the officer's wrist. He got away with the horse, and never awoke one of
+us."
+
+Gus Robbins had accumulated an almost inexhaustible fund of such
+anecdotes as these during his two and a half years of army-life, and he
+related a good many of them to Bob while they were walking about the
+fort examining the different objects of interest. From some of them Bob
+gained a faint idea of what might be in store for himself.
+
+The next morning the newly-arrived recruits were formed into an awkward
+squad and turned over to the tender mercies of a grizzly old sergeant,
+who proved to be anything but an agreeable and patient instructor. He
+drilled them for four hours without allowing them a single moment's
+rest, abusing them roundly for every mistake they made; and when at last
+he marched them to their quarters, it was only that they might eat their
+dinner and take half an hour's breathing-spell preparatory to going
+through the same course of sprouts again in the afternoon. This routine
+was followed day after day until the members of the awkward squad were
+declared to be sufficiently drilled to warrant their appearance on
+dress-parade. After that they were assigned to the different troops (or
+companies) that stood the most in need of men, Bob, to his delight,
+finding himself in the same troop to which his new friend, Gus Robbins,
+belonged. But even then their troubles did not cease. Instead of
+drilling eight hours each day, they drilled six, and were obliged to do
+guard-duty besides. Among the three hundred and eighty men who composed
+the garrison there were not a few old soldiers who hated this hard work
+as cordially as some of the new-comers did, and there was a good deal of
+grumbling among them; but Bob Owens never uttered a word of complaint.
+Firmly adhering to the resolution he had made when he first enlisted, he
+set himself to work to learn just what was required of him, and when he
+found out what his duty was, he did it cheerfully and faithfully. He was
+always on hand when he was wanted, his equipments were always ready for
+inspection, and his horse shone like satin. When his own steed had been
+fed and groomed, he turned his attention to the horse belonging to the
+lieutenant who commanded the troop to which he belonged, and thereby
+aroused the indignation of some of his brother-soldiers.
+
+"What are you doing that for?" demanded Gus Robbins one day as he and
+Bristow entered the stable and found Bob busy at work grooming the
+lieutenant's horse. "You are in pretty business, I must say!"
+
+"Yes, I rather like it," answered Bob. "I always liked to work about
+horses, and I am doing this because I haven't anything else to do just
+now."
+
+"Well, I wouldn't do it any more if I were in your place," continued
+Gus. "The law expressly prohibits an officer from compelling, or even
+hiring, an enlisted man to do his dirty work."
+
+"It does, does it?" exclaimed Bob. "Didn't you tell me when I just came
+here that enlisted men were nothing but servants to their officers?"
+
+"I didn't mean that, exactly," stammered Gus. "What I _did_ mean was,
+that they don't treat us like human beings. If an officer wants a
+servant, he must hire a civilian and pay him out of his own pocket;
+that's what the law says."
+
+"I am aware of that fact; but the law doesn't say that I shall not groom
+the lieutenant's horse if I choose to do it of my own free will, does
+it?"
+
+"Let the toady alone, Robbins," said Bristow angrily. "The troop hasn't
+got all the non-coms that it is entitled to, and Owens is working for
+chevrons. You know the lieutenant said the other day that there were
+four corporals' and two duty sergeants' warrants waiting for those who
+were willing to win them; and this is the way Owens is going to work to
+get one of them."
+
+Bob straightened up, looked sharply at Bristow for a moment, and then
+drew back the brush he held in his hand, as if he had half a mind to
+throw it at his head.
+
+"That's what all the boys say, Bob," observed Gus. "If you want to keep
+on the right side of the privates, you must not try to curry favor with
+the officers."
+
+"If you want a non-com's warrant, why don't you wait until you get a
+chance to win it in battle?" added Bristow. "That's what I intend to do,
+and I shall think much more of a promotion earned in that way than I
+should of one I had gained by cleaning an officer's horse."
+
+"Look here, fellows," said Bob earnestly: "I don't do this work for the
+lieutenant because I hope to gain anything by it. I do it simply to pass
+away the time, for I can't see any fun in loafing about the quarters
+doing nothing. If the boys don't like it, let's see them help
+themselves."
+
+"If the lieutenant was a decent man, I wouldn't say a word," answered
+Bristow. "But he is so mean that I wouldn't turn my hand over to save
+his life."
+
+"Anybody with half an eye could see what is the matter with you,"
+retorted Bob. "You have been in the guard-house about half the time
+since you have been here, and spent the other half in doing extra duty;
+and that's the reason you don't like the lieutenant. If you will wake up
+and attend to business, he will treat you well enough."
+
+Bob's prompt and soldier-like way of performing the work that was
+required of him very soon attracted the attention of Lieutenant Earle
+(that was the name of the officer in command of the troop to which Bob
+belonged), and he took his own way to reward him for it. If he was
+ordered off on a scout, Bob Owens was always one of the "picked men" who
+accompanied him. If he was sent out with a squad during the full of the
+moon to watch the ford a few miles below the fort, Bob was one of the
+members of that squad. This did not excite the jealousy of the good
+soldiers, for they were always glad to have a brave comrade to back them
+up in times of danger, no matter whether he was a greenhorn or a
+veteran; but the grumblers and the discontented ones, especially those
+who belonged to his own troop, had a good deal to say about it, and
+declared that the lieutenant took Bob with him on his expeditions to pay
+him for grooming his horse. They disliked him cordially, and it was not
+long before an incident happened that caused the dislike of at least one
+of them to grow into positive hatred.
+
+One pleasant afternoon some of the men received permission to go outside
+the gates for a short stroll. They wandered off in squads, some going
+one way and some another, and Bristow and two companions--one of whom
+was Gus Robbins--bent their steps toward the crumbling remains of an old
+adobe outpost which marked the spot where more than one desperate fight
+with the Apaches had taken place in the days gone by. There they seated
+themselves and entered into conversation, Bristow's first words
+indicating that they were about to discuss a subject that had before
+occupied their attention.
+
+"I tell you, Robbins," said he, "if you are in earnest in what you say,
+now is the time to prove it."
+
+"I certainly am in earnest," answered Gus; "but, to tell you the honest
+truth, I am afraid."
+
+"'Afraid'!" repeated Bristow in a tone of contempt. "What in the world
+are you afraid of?"
+
+"Of pursuit," replied Gus. "If we resist, we run the risk of being shot;
+and if we are captured, we stand an excellent chance of going to
+prison."
+
+"Now, Robbins," said Bristow earnestly, "let me once more explain our
+arrangements to you, and you will see that we do not risk anything. In
+the first place, the horses are left picketed outside the stockade every
+night. They are never brought in, as you know, unless there is danger of
+a visit from the raiders. Four of the six men who are to act as
+horse-guards to-night belong to our party. When the time for action
+arrives, these four men will go to work on the other two and try to
+induce them to accompany us. If they don't succeed, they'll bind and gag
+them, and so put it out of their power to give the alarm. The sentry who
+will be on duty between the stable and the stockade is also one of us,
+and of course he will raise no objection when we slip out of the
+quarters, one by one, and climb the stockade. As fast as we get over we
+will select our horses--I've got mine picked out, and I could put my
+hand on him in the darkest of nights--and when the last one has made his
+escape we'll mount and put off. Of course we hope to escape by running,
+but if we can't do that, we shall turn at bay and make a fight of it. We
+have all sworn to stand by one another to the last, and thirty
+determined, well-armed men can make things lively for a while, I tell
+you."
+
+Bristow continued to talk in this strain for half an hour, his companion
+now and then putting in a word to assist him; and he talked to such good
+purpose that Gus Robbins finally consented to make one of the large
+party that was to desert the post that very night. Bristow then gave him
+the names of the other members--there were several non-commissioned
+officers among them--and after urging him to be very careful of himself,
+and to say and do nothing that might arouse the suspicions of
+"outsiders," the three got upon their feet and walked toward the fort.
+
+They had scarcely left the ruins when a fatigue-cap arose from behind a
+pile of rubbish scarcely a dozen feet from the place where the three
+conspirators had been sitting, and a pair of eyes looking out from under
+the peak of that cap watched them as they moved away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+BOB'S FIRST COMMAND.
+
+
+The eyes that were so closely watching the movements of Bristow and his
+companions belonged to Bob Owens. The latter had strolled off alone, and
+thrown himself behind an angle of the ruined wall to indulge in a few
+moments' quiet meditation, and thus unwillingly placed himself in a
+position to overhear the details of the plot which we have just
+disclosed. If Bristow had not so promptly entered upon the discussion of
+the subject of desertion, Bob would have made his presence known to him;
+but after he had listened to the first words that fell from his lips he
+thought it best to remain quietly in his place of concealment, for he
+knew that if he revealed himself, then he would be accused of playing
+the part of eavesdropper.
+
+"Now, here's a go!" thought Bob, rising to his feet when he saw Bristow
+and his two friends walk through the gate into the fort, "and I wish
+somebody would be kind enough to tell me what I ought to do about it.
+Shall I stand quietly by and let them go, or shall I tell the officers
+what I have heard? If I let them go, they will run the risk of being
+gobbled up by that party of Kiowas who are now raiding the country north
+of us; and if I tell the colonel, and it should ever be found out on me,
+I should lead a hard life in the quarters. I wish I had been somewhere
+else when they came here."
+
+Thrusting his hands deep into his pockets, Bob left the ruins, and,
+walking slowly around the stockade, entered at a gate on the opposite
+side. His first care was to hunt up the sergeant-major of his regiment,
+whom he found in the quarters. This man had grown gray in the service,
+and he was a soldier all over--brave, faithful and untiring in the
+performance of his duty. He readily responded to Bob's significant wink,
+and followed him out on the parade.
+
+"Sergeant," said Bob as soon as they were beyond earshot of everybody,
+"I have accidentally come into the possession of a secret, and I don't
+know what to do with it. There are thirty men in the garrison who are
+going to desert to-night."
+
+The old fellow took a fresh chew of tobacco, pushed his cap on the back
+of his head and looked at Bob, who, after telling him where he had been
+and how he happened to overhear the plot, continued:
+
+"It would never do to let them go. You know I was detailed to act as the
+colonel's orderly this morning, and I heard that scout who came in just
+before noon tell him that there is a large party of hostiles between
+here and Fort Tyler. These deserters intend to take their weapons with
+them, and think they can make a good fight; but those Kiowas are strong
+enough to annihilate them."
+
+"Small loss that would be to us!" growled the veteran. "We are going to
+have some hot work to do before long, and such men are no good in a
+fight."
+
+"It would never do to let them go," repeated Bob, "but there is only one
+way to prevent it that I can see; and that is by telling the colonel all
+about it. If I do that, and they should find it out, they would go back
+on me, sure."
+
+"Of course they would," said the sergeant.
+
+"Well, what would you do if you were in my place?" asked Bob.
+
+"What would I do? I would go straight to the officer of the day and tell
+him the whole thing. The good-will of such men don't amount to anything,
+any way, and what do you care if they do go back on you? There's only
+thirty of them, and that leaves three hundred and fifty good fellows who
+will always be ready to befriend you. Do you know who these deserters
+are? I'll report the matter if you are afraid, and then let's see one of
+them open his head to me."
+
+Bob repeated the names of the would-be deserters which Bristow had given
+as nearly as he could recall them, and the sergeant hurried off to hunt
+up the officer of the day, while Bob went back into the quarters. He had
+been there but a few minutes when the orderly appeared at the door and
+sung out,
+
+"Owens, the colonel wants to see you."
+
+"Aha!" exclaimed Bristow, "our good little boy has been doing something
+bad at last.--There are no bunks in the guard-house, Owens."
+
+Bob made no reply. He followed the orderly across the parade and into
+the colonel's head-quarters, where he found the officer of the day, the
+sergeant-major and all the ranking officers of the garrison. The
+colonel questioned him closely in regard to the plot he had discovered,
+and finally dismissed him and the sergeant without making any comments.
+Half an hour later the entire cavalry force of the garrison was drawn up
+in line, the names of forty men who were ordered to the front and centre
+were read off, and the rest of the troopers were sent back to their
+quarters. Then the bugle sounded "Boots and saddles!" and in a few
+minutes more these forty men--one of whom was Bob Owens--rode out of the
+gate, led by the scout who had brought the information concerning that
+war-party of Kiowas. The squad was commanded by Lieutenant Earle.
+
+"That's all right," whispered Bristow to one of his fellow-conspirators
+as they stood in front of their quarters and saw their comrades ride
+away. "There will be just so many men less to follow us to-morrow
+morning. But I wish we knew which way they are going," he added in a
+tone of anxiety; "and we must find out if we can. We don't want to run
+into them if we can possibly avoid them, for there are some of the best
+men in the garrison in that party."
+
+"I suppose we are off after the hostiles," said the soldier who rode by
+Bob's side. "The scout told the colonel that there were three hundred
+braves in that party, didn't he?"
+
+Bob answered that that was what he understood him to say.
+
+"Then I wish we had a hundred men instead of forty," continued the
+trooper. "Our squad is too large to conceal itself, and too small to
+make a successful fight against such overwhelming odds. Well, if worst
+comes to worst--"
+
+The speaker thrust his hand into his boot-leg and drew out a loaded
+Derringer. He intended to send its contents through his own head rather
+than fall alive into the hands of the hostiles. Probably nine out of ten
+men in that squad were provided with weapons just like it, and which
+they intended to use in the same way should circumstances require it.
+Veteran Indian-fighters never fail to give this advice to a recruit:
+"When it comes to a fight, save the last shot for yourself."
+
+But, as it happened, Bob and his companions were not out after hostiles
+on this particular afternoon, for that raiding-party of Kiowas was
+already beyond the reach of any force that the commander of Fort
+Lamoine could have sent in pursuit of it. They found out in due time
+that their mission was of an entirely different character. They rode at
+a sharp trot until it was nearly dark, and then they went into camp in a
+belt of post-oaks and cooked and ate their supper. After an hour's rest
+they mounted and rode back toward the fort again. Arriving within a mile
+of the stockade, a halt was ordered, the men were dismounted, and, every
+fourth trooper being left to hold the horses, the others marched off
+through the darkness, armed only with their revolvers. Then Bob began to
+understand the matter. The object of the expedition was to capture the
+deserters. It had been led away from the fort simply as a "blind," and
+in order to lull the malcontents into a feeling of security no change
+whatever had been made in the guards who were to do duty that night.
+
+After the lieutenant had marched about half a mile another halt was
+ordered, and sixteen men, divided into squads of four men each, were
+told off to begin the work. The officer approached each squad in turn,
+and after designating some one to take charge of it, gave him his
+instructions in a whisper. When he walked up to Bob he asked,
+
+"Do you know where post No. 4 is? and can you go straight to it without
+making any mistake?"
+
+"Yes, sir, to both your questions," was the prompt reply.
+
+"Very well. Take command of this squad and go and arrest Dodd, whom you
+will find on guard there. Then put Carey in his place, and come back and
+report to me at post No. 1, and I will tell you what else to do. The
+countersign," added the lieutenant, coming a step nearer to Bob and
+speaking in a tone so low that no one else could catch his words, "is
+'Custer.' Be quick and still. Forward, march!"
+
+As Bob moved away with his squad he told himself that fidelity is
+sometimes appreciated. This was his first command, and he knew that much
+depended upon the way in which he executed the orders that had been
+given him. If they were faithfully and skilfully carried out, he might
+hope to be entrusted with other commands in future, and so be given
+opportunities to distinguish himself and win promotion; for Bob, like
+every ambitious boy, was anxious to get ahead as rapidly as possible.
+
+"What's the matter, Owens?" asked all the members of his squad in
+concert as soon as they were out of the lieutenant's hearing. They were
+all in the dark, and so was every man belonging to the expedition with
+the exception of the lieutenant, the sergeant-major and Bob Owens. The
+latter explained the state of affairs in as few words as he could, and
+the general verdict was that it would have been no loss to the garrison,
+or to the service either, if Bristow and his companions had been
+permitted to depart in peace.
+
+In a few minutes Bob and his men arrived within sight of the place where
+the horses were staked out, and a hoarse voice broke the stillness.
+"Halt! Who comes there?" was the challenge.
+
+"Friends, with the countersign," answered Bob after bringing his squad
+to a halt.
+
+"Advance, one friend, and give the countersign," was the next command.
+
+"Now, boys," said Bob in a low whisper, "you stay here, and when I call
+out 'Advance, squad,' come up briskly and surround Dodd, so as to be
+ready to overpower him if he shows the least disposition to resist or
+cry out."
+
+So saying, Bob moved off in the direction from which the hail sounded,
+and presently discovered the sentry, who stood at "arms port."
+
+"Halt!" commanded the guard when Bob had approached within a few feet of
+him. "Give the countersign."
+
+Bob whispered the magic word.
+
+"The countersign is correct," said the sentry, bringing his carbine to a
+carry.--"It's you, is it, Owens? What's the matter?"
+
+"Advance, squad," said Bob in a low tone. "You haven't seen anything
+suspicious going on about your post, have you?" he added, wishing to
+occupy the sentry's attention until his men could come within supporting
+distance of him. "No? Well, I am sorry to say that there is something
+suspicious about _you_, and I am ordered to put you in arrest."
+
+He laid hold of the carbine as he said this, and at the same moment two
+of his men placed their hands upon the sentinel's shoulders. The latter,
+seeing that resistance was useless, promptly gave up his piece and
+dropped his hands by his sides. "It's all that Bristow's work," said he
+in angry tones. "I knew he wouldn't do to tie to."
+
+"Don't say too much," interposed Bob. "You don't want to condemn
+yourself.--Carey, take this post until relieved."
+
+As Bob marched his squad and his prisoner to the place where he was to
+meet his commanding officer, he found the intervening posts in the
+charge of trusty men. Four of the discontented ones had been secured,
+and it only remained for the lieutenant to perfect arrangements for
+seizing the others as fast as they came out of the fort. He had already
+decided upon his plan of operations, and Bob Owens was called upon to
+take the first step toward carrying it out. After he had listened to
+some very explicit instructions from his commander, he stole off into
+the darkness, and, creeping along the outside of the stockade until he
+reached a point opposite the place where the sentry was posted behind
+the stables, he stopped and waited to see what was going to happen.
+About ten feet from him on his left was another soldier, standing
+upright and motionless in the shadow of the stockade. Ten feet beyond
+this soldier was another. These were all that Bob could see, but he knew
+that there were good men and true stationed at regular intervals all
+along the stockade, waiting to act the several parts that had been
+assigned to them.
+
+Bob waited and listened for a quarter of an hour or more, and then he
+heard a conversation carried on in a low tone on the other side of the
+stockade. He could not catch the words, but he knew that the deserters
+were beginning to bestir themselves, and that one of their number was
+talking with the sentry. Presently a scratching, scrambling sound,
+accompanied by heavy, labored breathing and those incoherent
+exclamations that men sometimes use when they are exerting themselves to
+the utmost, told Bob that somebody was making his way up the logs.
+Keeping his eyes fastened on the top, he saw a soldier climb up and seat
+himself on the plate. He could see him very plainly against the light
+background of the sky, and he recognized him at once. It was Bristow. He
+was about to swing himself off when he discovered Bob standing beneath
+him. He stopped, peered down into the darkness for a moment, and then
+called out in a frightened whisper,
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"It's all right," whispered Bob in reply; "come on."
+
+"Who is it, I say?" repeated Bristow in still more earnest tones.
+
+"Why, don't you know Dodd? Hand me your carbine."
+
+"Oh!" said Bristow with a great sigh of relief. "It _is_ all right,
+isn't it? Here you are."
+
+Holding his carbine by the strap, Bristow passed it down to Bob, who
+promptly slung it upon his back. The latter then pushed up his sleeves,
+moved back a little from the stockade, and when Bristow swung himself
+down by his hands and dropped lightly to the ground, Bob stepped up and
+took him by the arm.
+
+"I don't need any help," said Bristow, who had landed squarely on his
+feet. "But I say, Dodd--"
+
+"We'll talk about it as we go along," interrupted Bob. "But not a loud
+word out of you, unless you want to be gagged."
+
+"Why, good gracious, it's Owens!" gasped Bristow, reeling back against
+the stockade. He did not ask what Bob was doing there or why he had
+seized him, for he knew without asking.
+
+"Yes, it is Owens, and the men you saw ride out of the gate with me this
+afternoon are with me now. Here's one of them," added Bob as a soldier
+named Loring stepped up and took his place in readiness to catch the
+next deserter who came over the stockade.
+
+Just then the sentry on the inside placed his mouth close to one of the
+cracks between the logs and asked, in a cautious tone,
+
+"How is it, Bristow? Is the coast clear?"
+
+"All clear," replied Loring, speaking through the same crack. "Tell the
+boys to hurry up; we've no time to waste."
+
+If Bob's captive had any idea of attempting to escape or of alarming his
+companions by crying out, he abandoned it very quickly when he saw the
+soldiers that were stationed along the stockade. There was a trooper for
+every deserter, and as fast as the man at the head of the line caught
+one, another moved up and took his place.
+
+"This bangs me!" said Bristow, in great disgust. "Now comes a
+court-martial of course, and Goodness only knows what will come after
+that--the guard-house and a heavy fine, or the military prison at Fort
+Leavenworth.--I say, Owens, how did the colonel find it out?"
+
+"Do you suppose he tells his secrets to us privates?" asked Bob in
+reply.
+
+"We spoke to somebody who was not worthy of the confidence we placed in
+him," continued Bristow. "The thing never could have become known
+unless one of our own number had proved treacherous. But we can easily
+find out who he is. There are just thirty of us, and if there are only
+twenty-nine arrested, the missing man is the guilty one. When I find out
+who he is, I shall take particular pains to see that the next battle he
+gets into is his last."
+
+This threat was uttered in a very low tone of voice, for Bristow and his
+captor had by this time reached the place where the lieutenant had
+stationed himself to receive his men when they came in with their
+prisoners. Bob reported, "Your orders have been obeyed, sir," and took
+his stand close behind his officer.
+
+"I counted only twenty-six," said Bristow when the sergeant-major came
+up and announced the complete success of the undertaking. "There must be
+four traitors among us."
+
+"Have you counted in the horse-guards?" asked Bob. "There they are on
+the top of that ridge."
+
+No, Bristow had not counted them in, for he did not know until that
+minute that they had been arrested. He was very much astonished when he
+learned that every one of his party had been secured, and could not for
+the life of him imagine how the colonel had found out about it; for that
+he knew _all_ about it was evident from the manner in which the arrests
+had been effected.
+
+Having sent one of his men back to order up the horses, the lieutenant
+formed his captives in line, threw a guard around them and marched them
+into the fort. Halting them on the parade, he went in to report to the
+colonel, and when he came out again he put every one of them into the
+guard-house; after which Bob and his companions went to the quarters and
+tumbled into their bunks.
+
+Great was the astonishment among the soldiers the next morning when it
+became known that the expedition, which they supposed had gone out in
+search of the hostiles, had returned to the fort and captured thirty
+armed men, and that the work had been done so quietly that the sentry at
+the gate never knew anything about it until it was all over. Of course
+they were quite at a loss to determine who it was that told the colonel
+about it; and the general impression seemed to be that if there were a
+traitor among the deserters, he had allowed himself to be captured with
+the others in order to avoid suspicion.
+
+Among the non-commissioned officers who had attempted to desert was one
+of the corporals belonging to Bob's troop, and the next morning Bob was
+ordered to take his place and do duty as corporal of the guard. He saw
+the prisoners served with breakfast, and the numerous orders he had to
+give opened the eyes of one of them, who began to think he had made a
+discovery. And so he had, but he could not prove it.
+
+"I'll tell you what's a fact, boys," said Bristow as he walked to a
+remote corner of his prison with a cup of coffee in one hand and some
+cracker and bacon in the other: "I know whom we have to thank for our
+arrest."
+
+"Who is it?" asked a dozen voices at once.
+
+"I'd like to send him my compliments in the shape of a bullet from my
+carbine," said the corporal whose place Bob was then filling. "Tell us
+who he is, so that we can improve the first chance to get even with
+him."
+
+"There he is," said Bristow, shaking his piece of cracker at Bob. "He
+has been trying to get on the blind side of the officers for a long
+time, as you all know, and he has accomplished his object at last by
+going back on his comrades."
+
+The prisoners looked at Bob as if they expected him to deny the
+accusation; but, to the disappointment of some of them who really liked
+him, he had nothing to say.
+
+"Why don't you speak up and declare that it isn't so?" demanded the
+corporal.
+
+"Because he dare not," exclaimed Bristow. "He couldn't without telling a
+lie, and, as he is a good little boy, he wouldn't do that for the
+world."
+
+"I don't believe he did it," said another of the culprits. "He is not
+one of us, and how could he have found it out? I believe that the
+traitor is right here in the guard-house under arrest."
+
+"I know he isn't," declared Bristow. "Bob Owens is the only traitor
+there is, and you may depend upon it. Now, let me tell you just what is
+going to happen when the court-martial comes off: it will be proved to
+the satisfaction of all of you that Owens found out about our plans in
+some way or other, and went straight to the colonel with them. You will
+be disrated, Corporal Jim, and Lieutenant Earle, in order to reward Bob
+for carrying tales and to encourage him to carry more, will give him
+your place. Why, he has just as good as got the stripes on his arm
+now."
+
+Corporal Jim looked daggers at Bob, and declared that if he was the one
+who had disclosed their plot to the colonel, he was too mean for any
+use, and ought to be drummed out of the fort.
+
+"I promised that if I ever found out who the informer was I would serve
+him worse than that," said Bristow in savage tones. "I shall keep my
+promise, too, if I ever get the chance, for I am one who never forgets
+an injury."
+
+Bob Owens--who, as we know, was not wanting in physical courage--was not
+at all alarmed by this threat and a good many others like it to which he
+listened during the fifteen minutes the prisoners were occupied in
+eating their breakfast. He believed that he was able to take care of No.
+1; and when the critical time came, as it did a few weeks later, he
+proved to the satisfaction of everybody that his confidence in himself
+was not misplaced.
+
+The court-martial was not long delayed, and the findings being approved
+by the proper authorities, the sentences were promptly carried out. The
+culprits were confined in the guard-house for different periods of time,
+those who had been the most active in inducing their comrades to desert
+serving a longer sentence than their victims, and fines were imposed
+upon all of them, Bristow's being by far the heaviest, as he was proved
+to be the ringleader. He and Gus Robbins--both of whom had been almost
+constantly in trouble ever since they arrived at the post--were given to
+understand that if they were detected in another attempt at desertion
+they could make up their minds to see the inside of the military prison
+at Fort Leavenworth. Bristow proved to be a first-class prophet. During
+the progress of the trial it came out that Bob Owens was the one who
+discovered the plot, and that through him it was communicated to the
+colonel. Corporal Jim was of course reduced to the ranks, and Bob was
+promoted to fill the vacancy.
+
+During the next few weeks nothing of interest happened at the fort. The
+deserters were released as fast as the terms for which they were
+sentenced expired, some of them penitent and fully resolved to do better
+in future, while the others were more than ever determined to escape
+from military control, in spite of all the officers and guards that
+could be placed around them. They carried out their determination, too,
+at every opportunity, deserting in parties numbering half a dozen or so,
+and they generally succeeded in eluding pursuit. It was a singular fact
+that when the pursuers were commanded by commissioned officers they very
+often returned without having accomplished anything, but when they were
+commanded by sergeants or corporals they were almost always successful.
+Luck was on the side of the "non-coms," and the colonel finally learned
+to put a great deal of confidence in them. Bob Owens was particularly
+fortunate in this respect, and that was the reason his superior sent for
+him one morning after the officer of the day had reported that seven men
+had deserted during the previous night, taking their arms and a supply
+of ammunition with them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING.
+
+
+"Corporal," said the commandant, taking off his eye-glasses with a jerk,
+as he always did when he was about to say something emphatic, "there are
+the names of seven men who deserted last night. I want you to take
+command of a squad and follow them up and arrest them."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Bob.
+
+"I don't know which way they went, or anything about it," continued the
+colonel. "That is something you will have to find out for yourself. I
+_do_ know, however, that they went on foot, and that they are armed and
+well supplied with ammunition. I want you to capture them at all
+hazards--at all hazards, I say," repeated the colonel, bringing his open
+hand down upon the table with a ringing slap. "If you come back without
+them you need not offer any excuses, for I shall not listen to them.
+Arrest anybody you catch outside the stockade wearing a United States
+uniform, no matter who he is. There have been no passes granted this
+morning, and no one except the guards and the officer of the day has any
+business outside. That's all."
+
+Bob saluted and hurried from the room. As he passed through the hall he
+glanced at the list he held in his hand, and saw that it was headed by
+the names of Bristow and Gus Robbins.
+
+"This is about the easiest job I have had yet, and these fellows are
+just as good as captured already," said he to himself. "I know right
+where to look for them, and I wouldn't be in their shoes for all the
+money the paymaster had in his safe the last time he was here. They are
+booked for Leavenworth, sure.--May I go out, Willis?" he asked of the
+sentry at the gate; "I am acting under orders."
+
+"That's all right," was the reply; "the officer of the day told me to
+pass you. You are going after those deserters, I suppose? Well, now,
+look here," added the sentry, after looking all around to make sure that
+there was no officer in sight: "you remember those mulewhackers who
+brought that freight here the other day, don't you? Well, Bristow and
+the rest have gone off to join them. I am certain of it, for I heard
+Bristow talking with them, and they assured him that the wagon-master
+would give him steady work and good wages if he would hire out to him.
+Bristow didn't hesitate to talk with them about it in the presence of a
+dozen of us."
+
+"That was only a ruse on his part," said Bob confidently. "If I followed
+the trail of those teamsters I should have my trouble for my pains. I am
+going as straight toward Brownsville as I can go, and I shall have my
+hand on Mr. Bristow's collar before I have gone thirty miles. You may
+rest assured that I shall not come back without him, for if I do I don't
+know what the colonel will say to me."
+
+Bob hastened toward the place where the horses were picketed, and there
+he found the officer of the day and the six picked men who had been
+detailed to accompany him. It was the work of but a few minutes to lead
+their horses into the fort and put the saddles and bridles on them; and
+when this had been done, and Bob and his men had secured their carbines,
+sabres and revolvers and put two days' rations in their haversacks, they
+mounted and rode through the gate at a sharp trot. They were quiet and
+orderly enough as long as they remained within sight of the fort, but
+when the first ridge over which they passed shut them out from view they
+abandoned their efforts to keep in column, threw off all restraint and
+shouted and sang at the top of their voices. They looked upon an
+expedition like this as a "lark," and enjoyed it as much as a schoolboy
+enjoys a picnic.
+
+Bob did not stop at the first ranches he passed, for he knew that the
+deserters (provided, of course, that they had fled along that trail)
+must have gone by them in the night, and that consequently their inmates
+could give him no information. Besides, Bob had learned by experience
+that there was very little confidence to be placed in anything the
+ranchemen might say regarding a deserter. A good many of them had served
+in the army during the war, and, knowing how very hard is the life a
+soldier leads, they sympathized with him in his efforts to escape, and
+aided him by every means in their power. Where there was one farmer or
+stock-raiser who would give a squad like Bob's any information that
+could be relied on, there were a dozen who would conceal the deserter in
+their houses and send his pursuers off on the wrong trail.
+
+After Bob and his troopers had ridden about fifteen miles, and had
+shouted and sung off a little of their surplus enthusiasm, they relapsed
+into silence and settled down to business. They halted on the top of
+every ridge to survey the country before them, and called at every
+ranche that lay along their route; but nothing was to be seen or heard
+of Bristow and his party. About noon they came within sight of a
+squatter's cabin, and Bob decided to stop there and eat dinner. The
+owner of the cabin was at home, and he welcomed the horsemen with every
+appearance of cordiality.
+
+"Alight an' hitch, strangers," said he, when he had succeeded in
+quieting the small army of dogs which came out from under the cabin to
+dispute the further advance of the troopers. "You're as welcome as the
+flowers in May."
+
+"Thank you," said Bob as he swung himself from his saddle. "We intend to
+stop here and rest for an hour or so. We'll boil our coffee and cook our
+rations on your stove, if you have no objections."
+
+"I ain't got no stove," replied the squatter hastily--"leastways, none
+that you can do cookin' on," he added, with some confusion, when he saw
+Bob and one or two of his men look up at the stovepipe which projected
+above the roof.
+
+"All right!" replied the corporal, silencing by a look one of the
+troopers who was about to say something. "Then we shall have to build a
+fire outside; but that will do just as well, for we are used to cooking
+our grub in that way.--Now, Carey, if you and Loring will skirmish
+around and find some wood and start the coffee-pot going, we will look
+out for your nags."
+
+"Corporal," whispered one of the troopers, "there's a bug under that
+chip. In other words, this old rascal has some reason for wishing to
+keep us out of his cabin."
+
+"Say nothing out loud," replied Bob with a warning gesture. "We are on
+the right track, and I know it. If we fail now, it will be through our
+own blundering."
+
+Having seen the horses staked out, Bob walked back to the cabin, and
+found the squatter in conversation with Carey and Loring. His first
+words indicated that he had been trying to pump them, but without
+success.
+
+"Say, soldier, where might you be a-travellin' to?" he asked as Bob
+came up. "I asked them two fellows, an' they told me I had better ask
+you."
+
+"We are looking for seven deserters who passed this way some time this
+morning," answered Bob. "They were on foot and carried carbines. Seen
+anything of such a party?"
+
+The squatter brought his hands together with a loud slap before he
+replied.
+
+"I jest knowed them fellows wasn't what they allowed they was," said he.
+"In course I seed 'em, an' they told me they was a-lookin' for deserters
+themselves. They went off that way, toward the old Brazos trail," added
+the squatter, pointing in a direction which lay exactly at right angles
+with the course Bob had been pursuing.
+
+"Did they?" exclaimed the corporal with a great show of eagerness.
+"Thank you for the information. We will go that way too as soon as we
+have eaten dinner. How long ago did they pass this way?"
+
+"Jest at daylight."
+
+"That's another lie," said Bob to himself. "They didn't desert until
+after midnight, and they couldn't have travelled between fifteen and
+twenty miles in less than five hours on foot. An infantryman might do
+it on a pinch, but a trooper couldn't."
+
+"You'll have to hurry up if you want to ketch 'em," continued the
+squatter, who seemed to grow nervous when he saw how deliberately the
+troopers went about their preparations for dinner. "They was a-lumberin'
+along right peart."
+
+"Oh, there's no need that we should throw ourselves into a
+perspiration," replied Bob indifferently. "We don't care if we don't
+find them for a week. You see, when we are out on an expedition like
+this we are not obliged to drill, and our pay goes on just the same. If
+you have anything good to eat, trot it out; we're wealthy."
+
+But the squatter protested that he had nothing in his cabin except bacon
+and crackers, and his supply of these necessary articles was so small
+that he could not possibly spare any of it. He said so much on this
+point that the troopers would have been dull indeed if they had not
+suspected something.
+
+"He wants to get us away from here, doesn't he?" said Carey as soon as
+he had a chance to speak to Bob. "He thinks that if he provides us with
+a good dinner we will spend a long time in eating it. Now, corporal, I
+will bet you anything you please that--"
+
+"I know," interrupted Bob, "and I want you to take a look into the
+matter at once. This is my plan."
+
+Here Bob whispered some rapid instructions to the trooper, who winked
+first one eye and then the other to show that he understood them.
+Pulling his pipe from his pocket, he proceeded to fill it with tobacco,
+while Bob walked up to the squatter, and, taking him confidentially by
+the arm, said, as he led him out of earshot of the men, who had seated
+themselves about the fire,
+
+"May I have a word with you in private? You see, I am an officer, and it
+won't do for me to talk too freely in the presence of those I command."
+
+So saying, Bob led the squatter behind the cabin and began making some
+very particular inquiries concerning Bristow and his party: What sort of
+looking fellows were they? What did they say? Did they get anything to
+eat at the cabin? and did his friend the squatter really think they had
+gone toward the old Brazos trail? The man was very uneasy, and seemed
+impatient to go back to the fire again; but by holding fast to his arm,
+and plying him with such questions as these, Bob managed to keep him
+behind the cabin for about five minutes, and that was long enough for
+Carey to carry out the orders that had been given him.
+
+As soon as Bob and the squatter disappeared around the corner of the
+cabin, Carey put his pipe into his mouth, and, enjoining silence upon
+his comrades by shaking his fore finger at them, he quickly mounted the
+steps that led to the porch and walked into the cabin. As he did so
+there was a faint rustling in one corner of the room, and, looking over
+his left shoulder without turning his head, Carey saw a man who was
+lying on a rude couch draw a blanket quickly over his face. In his
+eagerness to conceal his features the man probably forgot that he had a
+pair of feet, for he pulled the blanket up a little too high.
+
+"Aha! my fine lad," said the trooper as he noiselessly opened the
+stove-door and looked into it, as if he were searching for a live coal
+with which to light his pipe, "I see a pair of No. 12 army brogans, and
+also the lower portions of a pair of light blue breeches with a yellow
+stripe down the seams. Bryant, my boy, that's you. I see also that this
+stove is in perfect order, but as there are no coals in it, I'll have to
+get a light at the fire outside."
+
+When Carey came out of the cabin his comrades' faces were full of
+inquiry, but the trooper only winked at them and nodded his head, as if
+to say that he could tell something that would astonish them if he only
+felt so disposed.
+
+By this time dinner was ready, and Loring's loud call of "Coffee!"
+brought Bob and the squatter from behind the cabin. The latter accepted
+Loring's invitation to drink a cup of coffee with "the boys," but he
+disposed of it in great haste, hot as it was, as if he hoped by his
+example to induce them to do likewise. But Bob and his companions were
+in no hurry. They lingered a long time over their homely meal, and then
+the smokers were allowed to empty a pipe apiece before the order was
+given to "catch up." The squatter began to breathe easier after that,
+and when he saw the troopers in their saddles and ready to start, his
+delight was so apparent that they all noticed it.
+
+"Wa'l, good-bye, if you must go," said he cheerily. "Will you stop when
+you come back?"
+
+"Oh, you needn't expect to see us here again," said Bob. "If we go to
+Brazos City, we shall take a short cut across the country when we
+return to the fort."
+
+"That's where I reckon they're goin', as I told you; an' my advice would
+be for you to go straight to Brazos, without stoppin' on the way, an'
+when they get there you'll be all ready to take 'em in. See?"
+
+"Yes, I see," answered Bob, "and it's something worth thinking
+of.--Forward, column left! Trot! gallop!"
+
+The troopers moved rapidly away from the cabin, and, to the intense
+surprise and indignation of all his followers, who thought that their
+corporal had been deceived by the squatter, Bob led them off toward the
+old Brazos trail. At length one of them ventured to remonstrate.
+
+"Corporal," said he, "you're going wrong."
+
+"I know it," answered Bob.--"Carey, tell us what you saw in that cabin.
+Were our suspicions correct?"
+
+"Indeed they were," was Carey's reply. "In the first place, that stove
+was all right, but the squatter didn't want us to use it, for Bryant was
+hiding in the cabin. He was lying on the floor, covered up with a
+blanket."
+
+"How do you know it was Bryant?" asked Bob. "Did you see his face?"
+
+"No, I didn't; it was concealed by the blanket. I saw his feet," said
+Carey; and his answer was received by the troopers with a sigh of
+satisfaction. It was all that was needed to establish the identity of
+the man who had taken refuge in the squatter's cabin.
+
+"I didn't think I could be wrong," observed Bob, "for that man condemned
+himself before we had been in his presence ten minutes."
+
+"Why don't you go back and snatch Bryant?" demanded one of the troopers,
+seeing that the corporal did not slacken his pace. "Why didn't you do it
+while we were at the cabin?"
+
+"Because I had no right to do it," answered Bob. "If I should go to
+searching houses, I might get myself into trouble with the colonel.
+Another thing, boys: I shouldn't care to enter that man's castle to look
+for anything unless I was a civil officer and armed with a
+search-warrant. He is a hard one, unless his looks belie him."
+
+"I thought so myself," said Loring. "But you are not going back without
+Bryant, are you? What do you suppose he is doing there, anyway?"
+
+"Of course I shall not go back without him," answered Bob quietly. "He
+has probably hired out to that squatter, and we must watch our chance
+and catch him out of doors before we can arrest him."
+
+"Well, are you going to Brazos City?"
+
+"Not by a long shot. Bristow and the fellows who are still with him have
+not gone that way. As soon as we get behind that belt of post-oaks you
+see in advance of us, I intend to circle around and go back toward the
+river again."
+
+Although the troopers rode at a rapid gait, it took them nearly three
+hours to carry out this programme. At the end of that time they struck
+the old stage-road, which, in the days gone by, had served as a highway
+between Brownsville and some of the remote frontier-towns; but when the
+raiders forced the settlements back into the interior the stage-route
+was abandoned, and all that now remained to tell of the business that
+had once been done on it were the half-ruined stations which were
+scattered along the road at intervals of fifteen or twenty miles.
+
+These stations were built of stone, and were large enough to accommodate
+a dozen horses and half as many stable-men and drivers, besides the
+necessary food for both men and animals. Each station was provided with
+a "dug-out," a miniature fort, into which the employees of the route
+could retreat in case they were attacked by hostile Indians or Mexican
+raiders. It was simply a cellar of sufficient size to shelter nine or
+ten men at close quarters, covered with logs and dirt, and furnished
+with loopholes on all sides at the height of a foot or more above the
+ground. It looked like a mound of earth supported on logs about two feet
+high. The only way of getting into one of these little fortifications
+was through an underground passage-way which led from the stables. With
+these arrangements for their defence a few well-armed and determined men
+could hold their own against all the raiders that could get around them.
+
+About four o'clock in the afternoon Bob and his troopers came within
+sight of one of these stations, and as soon as their eyes rested upon it
+they drew up their horses with a jerk, at the same time uttering
+exclamations of astonishment and delight. Standing in front of the open
+door were several men dressed in the uniform of the regular army. They
+seemed to be holding a consultation, and so deeply engrossed were they
+with their deliberations that they did not notice the approach of the
+troopers, although the latter had stopped their horses on the summit of
+a high ridge in plain view of them.
+
+"I wonder if those are our men?" said Carey, with some excitement in his
+tones.
+
+"We shall soon know," was Bob's calm reply. "Whoever they are, they will
+have to give an account of themselves, for I am instructed to arrest
+everybody I meet wearing a uniform."
+
+"If they _are_ our fellows, we've got them corralled," remarked Loring.
+
+"Yes, but I don't much like the way we have 'corralled' them," returned
+Carey. "Do you see that dug-out about twenty yards from the northwest
+corner of the station? If they go in there they can laugh at us. The
+only way we could get them out would be to starve them out."
+
+"That would take too long," said Bob; and the tone in which the words
+were uttered made his comrades look at him with some curiosity. "Let's
+go down there and interview them, and then we shall know how to act.
+Forward! Trot!"
+
+Just as these commands were given a commotion among the men in front of
+the station indicated that somebody had sounded an alarm. They gazed at
+the troopers for a moment as if they were thunderstruck, and then made a
+simultaneous rush for the entrance. This action on their part told Bob
+as plainly as words that they were the men of whom he had been sent in
+pursuit, and that they did not intend to go back to the fort if they
+could help it. A moment later a loud slamming and pounding indicated
+that the deserters were trying to close and barricade the door. This had
+scarcely been accomplished when the troopers dashed up to the station
+and swung themselves out of their saddles.
+
+Leaving two of his men to hold the horses, Bob and the rest walked
+around the corner of the station and looked at the dug-out. There was a
+face in front of every loophole. Anybody could see that the deserters
+had the advantage of position, and the troopers wondered what Bob was
+going to do about it. They glanced at his face, but could see nothing
+there to tell them whether he was excited, afraid or discouraged. It
+wore its usual expression.
+
+"Well, boys," said Bob at length, "if you have grown tired of roaming
+about the country, come out, and we will go back to the post. The
+colonel wants to see you."
+
+"We don't doubt it, but we don't want to see him," replied a voice that
+Bob recognized at once. "We think we see ourselves going back! We didn't
+desert for that."
+
+"Gus Robbins, I am sorry that you are in there," said Bob. "What will
+you say to your father and mother when you see them again?"
+
+"Don't know, I am sure," answered Gus. "Haven't had any time to think
+about that. But you know yourself that I can't go back to the post. The
+colonel said that if I were ever court-marshaled again for desertion, I
+should go to prison; but I'll fight till I drop before I'll do that."
+
+"Say, Bob," shouted another voice, "do you remember what I said I would
+do to that informer if I ever found out who he was? You are the fellow,
+and here's your pay."
+
+It was Bristow who spoke, and as he uttered these words he thrust the
+muzzle of his carbine through the loophole in front of him. The chorus
+of ejaculations and remonstrances which arose from the inside of the
+dug-out showed that the rest of the deserters were not yet ready to
+resort to the use of their firearms; but Bristow was almost half crazed
+by rage and fear, and just as somebody seized him from behind and jerked
+him away from the loophole, his carbine roared, and Bob Owens turned
+halfway round and staggered back a step or two, as if he were struck and
+about to fall.
+
+This unexpected act excited Bob's troopers--with whom he was an especial
+favorite--almost to frenzy. Believing that he had been seriously if not
+fatally injured--it did not seem possible that anybody could miss a mark
+of the size of his body at the distance of ten paces--one of them sprang
+forward to support him, while the others discharged their carbines at
+the loopholes in rapid succession. Their volley was not entirely without
+effect, for a loud yell of agony came from the inside of the dug-out,
+bearing testimony to the fact that one bullet at least had found a
+target somewhere on the person of one of the deserters.
+
+[Illustration: STORMING THE DUG-OUT.]
+
+"Cease firing!" shouted Bob.
+
+He gently released himself from the embrace of the strong arms that had
+been thrown around him, and looked down at the gaping rent Bristow's
+bullet had made in the breast of his coat. The missile had passed
+through his thick carbine-sling and breast-belt, had cut into his coat,
+vest and shirt, and ploughed a deep furrow through a well-filled wallet
+which he carried in his inside pocket. Fortunately, it was a glancing
+shot, but the force with which it struck him was almost sufficient to
+knock him off his feet.
+
+"I'm not hurt at all," said he as his men crowded about him, "but I
+shall have to put a patch on my coat when I get back to the post.--I
+say, there," he shouted, addressing himself to the inmates of the
+dug-out, "was there anybody hurt in there? I thought I heard a yell."
+
+"Yes, and you'll hear another yell if you don't go away and let us
+alone," replied Bristow. "I'll make a better shot the next time I pull
+on you."
+
+"All right!" said Bob. "I'll give you a chance in just about five
+minutes.--Loring," he added in a lower tone, "you and Phillips stay here
+and hold the horses, and the rest of you follow me."
+
+"Are you going to storm them?" asked Loring.
+
+"I am," was the decided reply. "It is the only way I can get them out,
+for they'll not come of their own free will."
+
+"Then I sha'n't stay here and hold the horses; that's flat," declared
+Loring.
+
+"Neither will I," chimed in Phillips. "The picket-pins will hold them as
+well as we can."
+
+"All right!" replied Bob. "Stake them out, and while you are doing it
+Carey and I will see how we are going to get into the station."
+
+The door to which Bob now turned his attention did not prove to be a
+very serious obstacle. It was made of heavy planks, and if it had been
+in good condition it would have taken a good deal of chopping with a
+sharp axe before one could have forced his way through it; but the
+hinges had rusted off, and the planks had shrunk to such a degree that
+the bar which held the door in its place could be seen and reached with
+a sabre. A few blows with one of these weapons knocked this bar from its
+place, and when that was done, the door, having nothing to support it,
+fell back into the stable with a loud crash. Bob entered, with Carey at
+his heels, and, making his way to a small apartment which had once been
+used as a sleeping-room by the stable-men and drivers, he found there a
+trap-door, which he threw open, revealing a flight of rude steps leading
+into the underground passage that communicated with the dug-out. By this
+time the rest of the troopers arrived on the scene. They looked
+dubiously at the dark passage-way, and then they looked at Bob.
+
+"Do you really mean to go down there, Owens?" asked Loring. "It's sure
+death."
+
+"I believe so myself, but I am going all the same," replied Bob, who was
+thoroughly aroused by the attempt that had been made on his life. "If we
+are not willing to face death at any moment, we had no business to
+enlist. Must I go alone?"
+
+"Not much," was the unanimous response. "If you are bound to go, we are
+going too."
+
+"Leave your sabres and carbines here," commanded Bob. "They will only be
+in the way. Draw revolvers, but don't shoot except in self-defence."
+
+Bob knew as well as his men did that he was about to enter upon a very
+perilous undertaking. Bristow had shown that he was desperate enough to
+shoot, and he had even threatened that if he got another chance at Bob
+he would make a better shot than he did before. Some of the men who were
+with him were known to be hard characters, and it was very probable that
+they would back him up in the resistance he seemed determined to make.
+But Bob, having made up his mind as to the course he ought pursue, never
+once faltered. He was a soldier, and a soldier's first duty was to obey
+orders. He had been commanded to find the deserters and arrest them at
+all hazards; and, having obeyed the first part of his instructions, he
+was resolved to carry them out to the letter or perish in the attempt.
+
+"Now I think we are all ready," said Bob, after the sabres and carbines
+had been laid in the empty bunks and the revolvers drawn and examined.
+"Stick close to me, and remember that if we don't take them they will
+kill us. Bristow, Sandy and Talbot are the only men we have to fear, and
+if we can only get the drop on them we are all right. Come on."
+
+Although Bob was the youngest soldier, he was the calmest one of the
+seven troopers who descended those steps. When he reached the bottom he
+looked along the passage-way toward the dug-out, which was dimly lighted
+by the sunbeams which streamed in through the loopholes on the western
+side, and saw the deserters standing in line awaiting his approach.
+
+"Halt!" cried a voice. "Come a step nearer and you are all dead men."
+
+It was Bristow who spoke, and the words were followed by the ominous
+click of the lock of his carbine.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE NEW SCOUT.
+
+
+"Halt!" cried Bristow again. It was so dark in the passage-way that he
+could not see the troopers, but the sound of their footsteps told him
+that they were still advancing toward the dug-out. "That's twice," he
+continued. "If I have to halt you the third time, I'll send a bullet out
+there."
+
+"Bristow, you had better not try that," answered Bob, without the least
+tremor in his voice. "You have already done more than you will want to
+stand punishment for. Besides, I have got you covered, and if you move
+that carbine a hair's breadth you are a gone deserter."
+
+"And I've got the drop on you, Sandy," said Carey, thrusting his cocked
+revolver over Bob's shoulder, "so don't wink.--I say, corporal," he
+added in a whisper, "I don't see Talbot anywhere."
+
+"Neither do I," answered Bob. "Keep your eyes open, for he may be up to
+playing us some trick."
+
+Whether it was the cool determination exhibited by Bob and his men, or
+the consciousness that they were in the wrong that took all the fight
+out of the deserters, we cannot tell; but they were cowed by something,
+and when Corporal Owens and his troopers filed into the dug-out, and the
+former sternly commanded them to "throw up," every carbine was dropped
+to the ground and five pairs of hands were raised in the air.
+
+"Where's the other?" demanded Bob. "There ought to be six of you."
+
+"Here I am," said a faint voice.
+
+Bob looked in the direction from which the voice came, and saw Talbot
+sitting in a dark corner, his carbine lying by his side and both his
+hands raised above his head. He wore a handkerchief around his forehead,
+and, dim as the light was, Bob could see that it was streaked with
+blood.
+
+"Are you badly hurt?" he asked with some anxiety.
+
+"No, he isn't," exclaimed Bristow, before the wounded man could speak.
+"A glancing ball cut a little crease in his scalp, and he thinks he is
+killed."
+
+"I wish you had this little crease in your own scalp," said Talbot,
+looking savagely at Bristow. "If it hadn't been for you I never should
+have been here."
+
+"And if it hadn't been for _you_, and a few cowards just like you, we
+never should have been captured," retorted Bristow. "We could have held
+our own against a squad four times as big as the one Owens has brought
+with him; but now--"
+
+"That'll do," interrupted Bob. "I am not going to have any quarrelling
+here; and, Bristow, there's a court-martial coming, and you had better
+keep a quiet tongue in your head.--Carey, stand in the mouth of that
+passage-way.--Phillips, pick up the carbines, and the rest of you sound
+them."
+
+These orders were promptly obeyed, and when the "sounding" had been
+completed the deserters had not even a pocket-knife left.
+
+"Now, boys," continued Bob, "as you seem to like these quarters so well,
+you can stay here to-night--all except you, Talbot; you will come up and
+have your wound examined. We didn't come prepared to take care of
+injured men, but we will do the best we can for you.--We will get some
+supper for you men, and when you feel so inclined you can spread your
+blankets on the floor and go to sleep.--Go on, Carey."
+
+At a sign from Bob the troopers followed Carey, who led the way along
+the passage; then Talbot fell in, carrying his blanket over his
+shoulder, and Bob brought up the rear. The trap-door was shut, and
+Talbot was informed that the sleeping-room was to be his prison for the
+night. His wound was dressed with some cold coffee that Bob happened to
+have in his canteen, and the deserter was assured that there was no
+cause for apprehension. The wound, which was scarcely an inch long, was
+only skin-deep, but it bled profusely, and that was probably the reason
+why Talbot was so badly frightened. When two sentries had been
+posted--one at the door of the stable to keep an eye on Talbot, and the
+other at the dug-out to see that the deserters who were confined there
+did not attempt to work their way out during the night--Bob ordered
+supper to be served at once. He had performed a brave act, and now that
+the danger was over he began to realize that he had passed through
+something of an ordeal. He lifted his cap, and found that his forehead
+was covered with great drops of perspiration.
+
+"You have done well," said Carey, extending his hand to Bob when the
+latter came out of the sleeping-room. "I didn't know you had so much
+pluck. I shall take particular pains to see that the lieutenant hears of
+this day's work."
+
+"He will tell you that I did nothing but my duty," replied Bob, who was
+very glad to know that his men were satisfied with his conduct.
+
+"But it isn't everybody who is brave enough to do his duty," said Carey
+as he touched a match to the light-wood he had piled in the fireplace;
+"and perhaps the lieutenant will say that you ought to be a sergeant.
+That _was_ Bryant back there in that squatter's cabin, wasn't it? I
+looked for him the minute we entered the dug-out."
+
+"So did I," answered Bob, "and I saw at a glance that he wasn't there.
+We will attend to him to-morrow."
+
+"But perhaps he won't be there."
+
+"I think he will. It is my opinion that he has hired out to that
+squatter, and that he intends to trust to disguise to escape
+recognition. A man in citizen's clothes doesn't look much like the same
+man in uniform; did you ever notice that? But even if he isn't there,
+what odds does it make to us? We are having a good time, and I would
+just as soon stay out here on the plains for a week or ten days as to go
+back to the fort and drill."
+
+"I say, corporal," exclaimed the sentry who was stationed at the door,
+"here's somebody coming, and unless my eyes are going back on me he is
+dressed in uniform."
+
+"Who in the world can it be?" exclaimed Carey.
+
+"We'll soon find out," replied Bob, "for if he has got any of our
+uncle's clothes on we are bound to take him in, unless he proves to be
+an officer."
+
+Bob and his men hurried to the door, and, looking in the direction in
+which the sentry was gazing, saw a horseman about a quarter of a mile
+away. He had halted on the top of a ridge, and Loring, who had good
+"Plains eyes," declared that he was looking at them through a
+field-glass. He certainly was dressed in uniform, and had with him a
+small black mule which bore a good-sized pack on its back.
+
+"I can't make him out," said Bob, waving his hand in the air and
+beckoning the horseman to approach. "He is a soldier, but what is he
+doing with that pack-mule? It isn't Bryant, is it? If it is, where did
+he get that mule and that field-glass?--Loring, you and Phillips put the
+bridles on your horses--never mind the saddles--and stand by to give him
+a race if he tries to run away. Don't mount until I give the word."
+
+But the horseman had no intention of running away. He replied to Bob's
+signal by waving his hand over his head, and after putting away his
+field-glass rode down the ridge and came toward the station at a gallop.
+As he approached nearer the troopers saw that he was a stranger, and a
+very good-looking one, too. He was almost as dark as an Indian, his hair
+was long enough to reach to his shoulders, and the eyes that looked out
+from under the peak of his fatigue-cap were as black as midnight and as
+sharp as those of an eagle. He rode a magnificent horse, and his seat
+was easy and graceful. His only weapon--that is, the only one that could
+be seen--was a heavy Winchester rifle, which was slung at his back. If
+he was a soldier, he was a very fancy one, for his cavalry uniform,
+although in strict keeping with the regulations, was made of the finest
+material; he wore white gauntlet gloves on his hands; and instead of the
+ungainly, ill-fitting army shoe he wore fine boots, the heels of which
+were armed with small silver spurs. The troopers thought from his dress
+and carriage that he must be an officer, and when he drew rein in front
+of the station they stood at "attention" and saluted him.
+
+"I don't deserve that honor, boys," said the stranger with a laugh; "I
+am not a shoulder-strap."
+
+"You are not?" exclaimed Bob, who was not a little astonished as well as
+provoked at the mistake he had made. "Well, it seems to me that you are
+throwing on a good many frills for a private. Where do you belong?"
+
+"At Fort Lamoine," said the stranger; and the answer was given in a tone
+quite as curt as was that in which the question was asked.
+
+"So do I, but I don't remember to have seen you there, and so I shall
+have to ask you to give an account of yourself. Dismount."
+
+"I shall do as I please about that," replied the stranger, who had all
+the while been staring very hard at Bob.
+
+"Well, you won't do as you please about it," returned the corporal,
+while Carey walked up and took the stranger's horse by the bit. "You
+will do as _I_ please. If you belong at Fort Lamoine you will go there
+with me in the morning, and then I shall be sure you get there. I am
+acting under orders."
+
+The horseman thrust his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket, and
+pulling out a bill-book took from it a paper which he opened and handed
+to Bob to read.
+
+"If you are acting under orders I have no more to say," said he, "but
+there is something which I think will see me through until day after
+to-morrow. It is my furlough. Look here, partner," he added suddenly,
+"isn't your name Bob Owens?"
+
+The latter started as if he had been shot, his under jaw dropped down,
+and for a few seconds he stood looking at the speaker as if he could
+hardly believe his ears. Then a light seemed to break in upon him, and
+springing forward he grasped the horseman by the arm and fairly pulled
+him out of the saddle. After that he shook one of his hands with both
+his own and executed a sort of war-dance around him, while the troopers
+stood and looked on in speechless amazement.
+
+"George Ackerman, I am delighted to see you again," cried Bob as soon as
+he could speak. "I take it all back, George: I didn't mean to insult
+you."
+
+"It's Owens, isn't it?" said George, for it was he.
+
+"Of course it is; and if you hadn't been blind you would have known it
+as soon as you saw me," replied Bob.
+
+"I don't think my eyesight is any worse than your own, for you didn't
+know me until I called you by name," retorted George. "Your uniform
+tells me where you have been and what you have been doing since I last
+saw you, but it doesn't tell me how I came to lose you in Galveston so
+suddenly and mysteriously. If we had kept together a little while longer
+we should have been all right, for I had scarcely missed you before I
+ran against Mr. Gilbert--the friend to whom I wrote for money, you know.
+If you belong at Fort Lamoine, what are you doing here?"
+
+"Stake out your horse and mule and I will tell you all about it,"
+answered Bob. "But first tell me what right you have to wear those
+clothes."
+
+"I am a United States scout," replied George. "At least, that was the
+title under which I was sworn in, but it does not clearly explain the
+duties that are expected of me. I am to act as guide to the troops when
+they cross the river in pursuit of the raiders."
+
+"Oh yes," exclaimed Bob; "I remember all about it now. I was off after
+the hostiles when you came to the post and offered your services to the
+colonel. When I came back I found that the men had a good deal to say
+about our new scout, who, they said, looked about as much like a scout
+as they looked like the queen of England; but I had no idea who he was;
+and, seeing it's you, I'll not arrest you," he added with a
+laugh.--"Great Cæsar! that was the second close call I have had to-day."
+
+"If I had had any idea that you were going to touch him I should have
+warned you," said George. "It won't do for a stranger to come within
+reach of him, and it's the greatest wonder in the world that he didn't
+knock your brains out."
+
+While the two friends were talking, George Ackerman, with the dexterity
+acquired by long experience, relieved the mule of his heavy pack and
+slipped the halter over his head, leaving the animal at liberty. Bob,
+judging the mule by those unruly members of his species that were
+employed in the quartermaster's department at the fort, stepped up and
+attempted to lay hold of his foretop; but the animal dodged him very
+cleverly, and, wheeling like lightning, sent both his heels at the boy's
+head. The latter dropped just in time to escape the blow, but he felt
+the "wind" of the heels in his face and heard them whistle close by his
+ear.
+
+"Does he always act that way when strangers approach him?" asked Bob as
+he picked up his cap. "If he does, you need not be afraid that anybody
+will steal him. I tried to catch him because I was afraid he would run
+off."
+
+"Oh, he'll not do that. I never think of staking him out, for he always
+stays by my horse, and I can catch him anywhere. There's a horse for
+you, Bob, and the best one I ever owned. He is a present from Mr.
+Gilbert, who bought him in Kentucky for his own private use, but when he
+found that I was going into the army he gave him to me, with the
+assurance that Fletcher and his band could never make a prisoner of me
+while I was on his back. I lost my old horse, Ranger, at the time I was
+captured by the Greasers, and he was killed at the battle of Querétaro.
+Now, what are you doing so far away from the fort?" asked George as he
+picked up his picket-pin and led the horse around the station to find a
+good place to stake him out. "How did you come to go into the army,
+anyway, and what have you been doing to win those stripes?"
+
+"It would take a long time to answer your last two questions," answered
+Bob, "and so we will leave them until the rest of the boys have gone to
+bed. I came here in pursuit of seven men who deserted last night."
+
+"You did? Well, Bob, your superiors must have a good deal of confidence
+in you to send you off on such an expedition. Where do you expect to
+find them?"
+
+"I have found them already, and arrested them too; that is, I have
+caught six of them, and I know where the other one is. I intend to take
+him in hand to-morrow, though, to tell the truth, I don't know just how
+I am going to do it. I could have arrested him to-day if I had had
+authority to take him out of a house; but I wasn't sure on that point,
+and so I let him go until I could have time to make up my mind to
+something. I got _that_ about fifteen minutes before you came up," said
+Bob, directing his friend's attention to the hole in his coat that had
+been made by Bristow's bullet. "My men returned the fire and slightly
+wounded one of the deserters, who is now laid out on his blanket in the
+sleeping-room. By the way, do you know Gus Robbins?"
+
+"I should say I did," replied George, after he had followed the course
+of the bullet through Bob's clothing and expressed his surprise at his
+friend's narrow escape. "He ran away from his home in Foxboro', and came
+down here to visit my cousin, who was at that time living with his
+father at my ranche. He and Ned, who were constantly pluming themselves
+on the numerous scrapes from which they had narrowly escaped, could not
+rest easy until they kicked up a row in the settlement, and they did it
+by shooting Mr. Cook's cattle. The consequence was, that I had to show
+them the way out of the country. Don't you remember I told you all about
+it on the morning we walked from that trapper's cabin to White River
+Landing? I say, Bob, have you any idea of becoming a trapper when your
+term of service expires?"
+
+"Nary idea," was the emphatic reply. "A soldier's life is hard enough
+for me, and there is quite as much danger in it as I care to face."
+
+"What do you know about Gus Robbins?" continued George. "He left my
+cousin Ned very suddenly in Brownsville, and none of us ever heard of
+him afterward. It can't be possible that he enlisted too?"
+
+"Yes, he did. He belongs to my troop, and is just as fond of getting
+into scrapes as he ever was. When he is not in the guard-house he is
+almost sure to be doing extra duty for some offence against military
+discipline. He was one of the deserters I was ordered to capture, and he
+is in the dug-out now. But I almost wish he had got away. You know him,
+and when I was arresting him I almost felt as if I were doing something
+against you. I haven't forgotten that you offered me a home, and--"
+
+"The obligation is all on my side," interrupted George. "You saved my
+life twice. Let's sit down here and talk a while. Go ahead and tell me
+something."
+
+The boys threw themselves on the grass near the place where George had
+staked out his horse, and Bob began and described some of the
+interesting incidents that had happened since he last saw the cub pilot.
+He told the truth in regard to everything, not even excepting the
+parting in Galveston. His experience in the army was rapidly working a
+change in him, and he had not told a wilful lie since he assured the
+recruiting-officer that he was an orphan and that there was no one in
+the world who had a right to say whether he should enlist or not.
+
+"I have done a good many mean things in my life, I am sorry to say," Bob
+added in winding up his story, "but about the meanest trick I ever
+played upon anybody I played upon you on the day we parted. I found
+fifty cents in my watch-pocket, which I had carelessly shoved in there
+when money was plenty, and I knew it would buy me supper and lodging. It
+wasn't enough for both of us, so I ran away from you and went off by
+myself. That's the way we became separated, and I tell you of it at the
+risk of losing your friendship."
+
+"You risk nothing at all," replied George, extending his hand. "I
+couldn't expect that you would take care of me and pay my way at the
+sacrifice of all your own personal comfort; but I do wish you had waited
+just a little longer, for then you never would have had to enlist. I am
+ready to prove that I think as much of you now as I ever did. I shall
+keep an eye on you until your term of service expires, and then you must
+go home with me. I am sole master there now--Mr. Gilbert is my guardian,
+but he never has a word to say--and as you have no home of your own--"
+
+"That was a lie, George," interrupted Bob. "I have a home at Rochdale, a
+few miles below Linwood, where I first pulled you out of the river--you
+know where it is--and as kind a father and mother as any scoundrel of my
+size ever had. When I ran away I intended to drop my identity
+altogether, and that was the reason I told you I was alone in the world.
+What do you think of me _now_?"
+
+George was greatly astonished at this confession, for he had put
+implicit faith in Bob's story. He was strictly truthful himself, and he
+could not understand how a boy as physically brave as Bob Owens had
+showed himself to be could be coward enough to tell a lie.
+
+"I feel sorry for you," said he at length; "and if I were in your place
+I would go home as soon as I received my discharge--if you keep on as
+you have begun you may rest assured that it will be an honorable
+one--and try to make amends for my misdeeds. Remember that
+
+    'No star is ever lost we once have seen;
+    We always may be what we might have been,'
+
+and go resolutely to work to 'live it down.' You've got the pluck to do
+it, I know."
+
+"Coffee!" shouted Carey, thrusting his head around the corner of the
+station.
+
+"By the way," continued George as he and Bob arose to their feet, "what
+did you mean by saying that, seeing it was I, you wouldn't arrest me?"
+
+"Oh, the colonel was mad when he started me out this morning, and
+ordered me to gobble up everybody--that is, privates and
+non-commissioned officers--I caught outside the stockade. But of course
+I couldn't touch you if I wanted to, for your leave of absence protects
+you. You will stay here to-night and ride to the fort with us to-morrow,
+will you not?"
+
+"Certainly I will. Having found you again, I am not going to leave you
+in a hurry. Say, Bob, would you have any objections to bringing Gus
+Robbins up to eat supper with us?"
+
+"None whatever. I am sorry to be obliged to keep him and the rest so
+closely confined, but I know that they are a slippery lot--every one of
+them has deserted before--and if I should let them get away now that I
+have got a grip on them, the colonel would give me Hail Columbia. Gus
+has got himself into a mess, George. The first time he deserted he was
+simply put into the guard-house and fined, but this escapade is going to
+land him at Leavenworth. Now I will make you acquainted with our boys,
+and then I will go down and tell Gus that you want to see him."
+
+After the new scout had been introduced to the troopers, Bob raised the
+trap-door and descended into the dug-out, while George opened his
+pack-saddle and took out of it a tin cup and plate, a can of condensed
+milk, a box or two of sardines and a few other delicacies, which he laid
+upon the table beside the simple fare that Carey had just served up. By
+the time he had finished the work of opening the cans with the aid of a
+formidable-looking hunting-knife which he drew from his boot-leg, Bob
+returned, followed by a soldier who looked so unlike the dashing,
+fashionably-dressed Gus Robbins he had seen in company with his cousin
+Ned that George could hardly bring himself to believe that he was the
+same boy. He looked pale and haggard; and that was not to be wondered
+at, for the prison at Fort Leavenworth was constantly looming up before
+him.
+
+George, as we know, had a very slight acquaintance with Gus Robbins,
+having passed only a few hours in his company, and he was under no
+obligations whatever to interest himself in his behalf; but when he saw
+how utterly miserable he was, his heart bled for him, and he at once hit
+upon a plan for getting him out of the trouble he had brought upon
+himself. He greeted Gus very cordially, gave him a seat beside himself
+at the table, and tried to put a little life into him by talking about
+almost everything except life in the army.
+
+The deserters must have thought that their captors felt very much elated
+over their success, for a noisier party than that which was gathered
+about that rough board table was never seen anywhere. Being almost
+entirely free from military restraint--sergeants and corporals do not
+hold their men with so tight a rein as the commissioned officers do,
+although they exact just as prompt obedience to their commands--they
+told stories and said witty things and sung songs until they were
+hoarse. The additions to their larder which George had been able to
+supply gave them a better supper than they were accustomed to, and they
+were merry over it.
+
+None of the members of Bob's squad had ever seen the new scout before,
+and, although they treated him with the greatest respect, they were
+sadly disappointed in him. The scouts with whom they were familiar were
+great, rough, bearded men, strong of limb and slovenly in dress, who had
+lived among the Indians all their lives, and had the reputation of being
+able to whip their weight in wild-cats; but this one looked as though he
+had but just come out of a fashionable tailor's shop, and, moreover, he
+was nothing but a boy in years. What could the colonel have been
+thinking of when he engaged this stripling to lead men across the river
+and into the midst of the desperadoes who were known to have their
+strongholds there? It was dangerous work, and the guide ought to be a
+person of courage and experience; and George didn't look as though he
+had either. That was what the troopers thought as they sat at the table
+casting furtive glances at the new scout, who was talking earnestly with
+Gus Robbins; but it was not long before they found out that it took a
+brave man to follow where he dared lead.
+
+The first trooper who finished his supper took the place of the sentry
+at the door, and the next relieved the one who was standing guard over
+the dug-out. When these two had satisfied their appetites the dishes
+were washed, the table was laid again and the deserters were ordered up.
+Some of them appeared to be very much disheartened, and would scarcely
+look their comrades in the face, while the others were so defiant, and
+had so much to say about the colonel who had ordered their arrest and
+the men who had carried those orders into execution, that Bob was
+obliged to warn them that if they did not eat more and jaw less he would
+put them back into the dug-out without any supper.
+
+When the deserters had had all they wanted to eat they were sent down to
+their prison, the outside sentry was relieved, and Bob stood guard at
+the door, with George for company. They had much to talk about, and it
+was long after midnight when they went to bed. They slept on the same
+blankets, and the new scout went off into the land of dreams with his
+arm thrown lovingly around the boy who had twice saved his life, and
+whom he had never expected to see again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED GUEST.
+
+
+"Well, old fellow, what do you think of me now?"
+
+It was George Ackerman who uttered these words, and the question was
+addressed to his herdsman, Zeke. The former stood in front of a
+full-length mirror that hung against the wall (among other extravagant
+and useless things for which Uncle John had spent his nephew's money
+were two elegant pier-glasses, one for his own room and the other for
+Ned's), and Zeke was sitting on the edge of a chair, with his elbows
+resting on his knees and his chin supported by his hands.
+
+When the commander of Fort Lamoine accepted his proffered services,
+George had asked for and received a furlough for thirty days to enable
+him to procure an outfit and to consult with his guardian in regard to
+the management of the ranche during his absence. That furlough had
+nearly expired, and George was about to start for the fort. The honest
+fellows who had so long been employed on the ranche that they began to
+look upon themselves as members of the Ackerman family could not bear
+the thought of parting from him, and Zeke especially felt very gloomy
+over it. He had often denounced, in the strongest terms, the
+circumstances which seemed to render it necessary that his young friend
+should cast his lot among the soldiers for a season, and on this
+particular morning he looked as though he had lost everything that was
+worth living for.
+
+George had just put on his new uniform for the first time, and no one,
+except a very intimate acquaintance, would have recognized in him the
+rough-looking cowboy whom we introduced to the reader in the first
+volume of this series of books. During the eighteen months he had lived
+in the pilot-house he had fallen in with some of the ways of those by
+whom he was surrounded, and grown very particular in regard to his
+personal appearance, although he did not by any means go to extremes, as
+his cousin Ned had done. As he placed the jaunty fatigue-cap over his
+long, curly hair he looked rather complacently at the handsome face and
+figure that were reflected from the polished surface of the mirror.
+
+"Come, Zeke, don't be cross," said he, walking up to his herdsman and
+giving him a slap on the back. "Say just one kind word to me before I
+go."
+
+"I won't," growled Zeke in reply.
+
+"Then wish me good luck in my new calling," added George.
+
+"I won't," repeated the herdsman in a still louder tone. "You're always
+going off on some new callin' or another, an' I don't see no sort of
+sense in it. Didn't I stay home here, quiet an' peaceable, takin' care
+of your critters, while you was a-philanderin' up and down the river on
+boats that was likely at any minute to burn up or bust their boilers?
+Now that you have got safe home again, why in creation don't you stay
+here? Good land o' Goshen!" shouted Zeke, jumping up, spreading out his
+feet and flourishing both his huge fists in the air, "of all the fool
+notions that ever a livin' boy got into his head--"
+
+"That'll do, Zeke," interrupted George with a laugh. "I have heard that
+a thousand times, more or less, already. You will bid me good-bye when
+I get ready to go, I suppose?"
+
+"I s'pose I won't do nothin' of the kind," exclaimed Zeke. "Of all the
+fool notions that ever a livin' boy--"
+
+"I understand. Come here and pack my clothes-bag for me; you can do it
+better than I can."
+
+"I won't. Them things is goin' to hang you higher'n the moon the first
+you know," said Zeke, scowling savagely at the elegant Mexican costume
+which George lifted from the bed. "Don't you never go 'crost the river
+with them duds on, 'cause if you do Fletcher'll string you up for a
+spy."
+
+"Not in peace-times, I guess," answered George.
+
+"What odds does it make to sich as him whether it's peace-times or not?
+You'll see."
+
+"Well, he will have to catch me before he hangs me. Go and tell the cook
+that I am getting tired of waiting for breakfast."
+
+"I won't; I won't never do nothin' for you no more, nor say another word
+to you, nuther."
+
+"I am sorry you feel so bad about it," said George as he proceeded to
+pack his clothes away in a canvas bag he had provided for that purpose;
+"but the thing is done, and it can't be undone."
+
+"I don't care if the Greasers come over here next full moon an' steal
+every huf an' horn you've got," exclaimed the angry herdsman.
+
+"I do," replied George; "I don't want them to do anything of the kind. I
+don't want them to steal another steer from me or anybody else, and that
+is the very reason I became a scout. Our troops are going to teach those
+fellows to stay on their own side of the river, and I am going to help
+them do it."
+
+"There's enough without you," growled Zeke.
+
+"Suppose that everybody thought so; where would we get the men to fight
+our battles?--What in the world is that?"
+
+For just then there was a terrific uproar on the porch. Above the
+stamping of heavy boots and hoarse but subdued ejaculations of rage,
+such as men sometimes utter when they are engaged in a fierce struggle,
+arose the voice of one who spoke in pleading accents, but whose words
+suddenly ceased with a kind of gasping sound, as if his throat had been
+seized by a strong hand. Zeke sat up on his chair and looked at George,
+whose face expressed the utmost bewilderment. Before either of them
+could speak the door was thrown open with great violence, and a
+dishevelled and half-strangled man, dressed in a dingy blue jacket and a
+pair of dirty leather trousers, was pitched into the room, with such
+force that when he brought up against Zeke that worthy herdsman was
+knocked out of his chair, and the two came to the floor together.
+
+"What do you mean by such work as this?" demanded George, looking first
+at the prostrate man and then toward the door, where stood Jake and Bob
+with their hands clenched and their faces flushed with anger.
+
+"Jest take a good squint at that feller's figger-head an' answer the
+question for yourself, Mr. George," answered Jake, shaking his fist at
+the man who had been so unceremoniously introduced into the room.--"Give
+it to him good an' strong, Zeke!--Well! I'll--be--blessed!--Won't you,
+Bob?"
+
+This exclamation was called forth by an action on the part of George
+Ackerman that astonished Jake and Bob beyond measure. Zeke had instantly
+recognized the man who had so unexpectedly prostrated him, and, seizing
+him by the back of the neck in his iron grasp, began shaking him as a
+dog would shake a rat. George also recognized the man after he had taken
+a second look at him, and springing forward he seized Zeke's arm and
+tore his grasp loose. Then he assisted the man to his feet, and taking
+his hand in his own shook it cordially.
+
+"Well, I _will_ be blessed!" repeated Jake, who stood looking the very
+picture of astonishment.--"Won't you, Bob?"
+
+"I should say I would," replied the latter, who was equally amazed.
+"That's something _I_ never expected to see--an Ackerman shaking hands
+with a cattle-thief!"
+
+"Springer," exclaimed George, "I am glad to see you again; and without
+your crutches, too! I hope you have entirely recovered."
+
+Yes, the man who had made his entrance into George's room in so unusual
+a manner was Springer, whom we have often spoken of as the wounded
+cattle-thief. He had, as we know, once been in the employ of George's
+father; but proving to be utterly unfit for the position he held, Mr.
+Ackerman had discharged him, and Springer had sought revenge by making
+an unsuccessful effort to burn the ranche. Of course he could not stay
+in Texas after that, so he fled across the river and joined his fortunes
+with the Contra-Guerrillas, a regiment of desperadoes in the employ of
+the ill-starred Maximilian. He belonged, with other renegade Americans,
+to Fletcher's band, who were the principal foragers for Maximilian's
+army; but instead of robbing the adherents of Juarez, who probably had
+no stock worth stealing, they made numerous raids across the river and
+ran off the cattle belonging to the Texans. Springer was one of the band
+who stampeded George's herd at Catfish Falls, and during the short
+skirmish that followed Zeke sent a bullet through each of his legs,
+wounding him severely. He managed to keep up with the band a few miles,
+but the rapid motion was too much for him, and he was finally abandoned
+by his companions, who hurried the captured cattle toward the river,
+leaving Springer to look out for himself.
+
+The pain occasioned by the wounds that had been inflicted upon him by
+Zeke's Winchester was so intense that the raider was forced to travel
+very slowly. Arriving on the banks of a little stream that ran across
+the trail he was pursuing, he rolled out of his saddle to quench his
+thirst, which had became almost unbearable; but his bridle slipping from
+his hand, his horse wandered away, and, as Springer was not able to
+walk, he could not catch him again. He sank helplessly down beside a
+tree, where he was presently discovered by George Ackerman, who was
+making his way on foot toward Mr. Gilbert's ranche. The boy ministered
+to his wants by bringing him water in his hat and sharing with him his
+slender stock of provisions, and Springer showed his gratitude by
+warning George of a plot which his uncle John and cousin Ned had laid
+against him. He went into all the details, but George refused to believe
+a word of it until subsequent events, which we have already described,
+proved to his entire satisfaction that the thief had told him nothing
+but the truth.
+
+After spending half an hour in the man's company, George caught his
+horse, assisted him into the saddle, and Springer succeeded in crossing
+into Mexico without being discovered by any of the settlers whom Zeke
+had gathered together to recapture George's herd. He made his way to Don
+Miguel's ranche, and there our hero found him when he was captured by
+Fletcher's men. The raider seemed to be sorry for his misdeeds, and
+George had assured him that if he ever made up his mind to turn over a
+new leaf and lead a different sort of life, he would assist him by every
+means in his power.
+
+"Springer," said George, drawing up an easy-chair for the use of his
+guest, "what brought you over on this side of the river? Have you
+abandoned Fletcher for good?"
+
+The cattle-thief gasped and coughed three or four times, as if he were
+trying to clear his throat of something that stuck there and choked his
+utterance, and finally nodded his head in reply.
+
+"Don't pay no attention to him, Mr. George!" exclaimed Bob. "He don't
+know nothin' but stealin' an' lyin', that feller don't, an' I wouldn't
+trust him as far as I could sling a yearlin'."
+
+"If it wasn't for sich fellers as him you could stay to hum quiet an'
+peaceable like, an' not have to go off fur a soldier," added Jake.
+
+"When I was a prisoner among the Greasers he gave me advice that
+assisted me in making my escape, and why should I not treat him kindly?"
+demanded George, turning indignantly upon the speakers. "No visitor at
+the Ackerman ranche was ever treated so shamefully before, and I tell
+you I don't want the thing repeated."
+
+"Why, Mr. George," stammered Jake, "he rid up to the porch an' said he
+wanted to speak to you, an' so we brung him in--me an' Bob did."
+
+"Go and tell the cook to put another plate on the table and to hurry up
+breakfast," said George with an air of disgust.
+
+"Mr. George," said Zeke solemnly, "do you mean by that that you're goin'
+to break bread with this--this varmint?"
+
+"I mean that Springer is going to eat a good breakfast with me, if that
+is what you want to know," replied George.
+
+"Then, Bob, you needn't say nothin' about that there other plate,"
+continued the herdsman, picking up his hat and moving toward the door.
+"Springer can have the one I was goin' to use."
+
+"Zeke, sit down and behave yourself," exclaimed George.
+
+"No, I won't. I ain't agoin' to eat salt with a man what tried to burn
+this ranche over your dead father's head, an' you a little babby at the
+time, without no power to help yourself. I don't know what this family
+is comin' to, anyhow."
+
+"No more do I," chimed in Bob, while he and Jake looked daggers at their
+employer's new guest. "Things ain't as they used to be in the good ole
+days. I won't wait on no table that he sets at."
+
+As if moved by a common impulse, the three men left the room, Zeke
+closing the door behind him with no gentle hand. The cattle-thief seemed
+to be greatly relieved to see them go, but their extraordinary conduct
+made him very uneasy, and he looked toward George to see what the latter
+thought about it.
+
+"Never mind them," said the boy encouragingly. "They were employed on
+this ranche before I was born, and have finally come to think that they
+have more rights here than I have. Now, what did you want to see me for?
+How can I help you? If I were going to stay at home, so that I could
+stand between you and the settlers, I would give you a herdsman's berth,
+if that is what you want; but I am going to Fort Lamoine as soon as I
+have packed my things and disposed of my breakfast, and I may not be
+back for a year. I am a United States scout."
+
+"I wondered what you were doin' with them soldier-clothes on; an' that
+explains it," said Springer, speaking with difficulty. "I don't reckon
+you can help me none jest now, but mebbe I can help you by puttin' you
+on your guard agin' Fletcher."
+
+"Is he after me again?" cried George. "I was in hope I had seen and
+heard the last of him."
+
+"Them kind of fellers is always turnin' up when they isn't wanted,"
+replied Springer. "He's come back to his ole hole at that there ranche,
+bringin' a good many of his ole men with him, an' some new ones that
+would be wusser than he is, only that ain't possible. Amongst them all,
+they have laid a plan to visit you next full moon."
+
+"Let them come," said George, snapping his fingers in the air; "they'll
+not get me, or any stock either."
+
+"He wants you more'n he wants stock," continued Springer. "That is, he
+wants you first. Your uncle John put the very mischief into that there
+feller's head, an' he's goin' to make a pris'ner of you, like he did
+afore. He knows that you are master here now--that you've got more money
+an' cattle than you know what to do with; an' he thinks you would rather
+give 'em all up than lose your liberty."
+
+"No doubt I would," answered George, "but before he can make any demands
+upon me he must catch me. That he will never do, for the next time--"
+
+He was about to say that the next time he saw Don Miguel's ranche he
+would be so strongly backed up that he would stand in no fear of the
+boss cattle-thief and his band. But he didn't say it, for he did not
+know how far it would be safe to trust his friend Springer. He need not
+have been so particular on this point, however, for the cattle-thief
+knew as much about the contemplated movements of General Ord's forces as
+George did himself. The Mexican authorities had been notified that if
+the raids from their side of the river were not stopped our troops would
+take the matter in hand and punish the thieves wherever they could be
+found; and those same authorities had been accommodating enough to warn
+Fletcher, and so put him on his guard.
+
+"Where have you been since I last saw you?" inquired George, "and what
+has become of my horse? What did the 'boss' say when he found I had
+slipped through his fingers? I told you I shouldn't stay there and allow
+myself to be robbed. Did he follow me?"
+
+"No, he didn't foller you, 'cause nobody knowed till mornin' come that
+you had skipped out," answered Springer. "When Fletcher went to call
+you to breakfast, an' you wasn't there, he thought you was a-loafin'
+around somewheres about the ranche; but when somebody told him that the
+hoss with the four white feet, that follered us acrost the river on the
+night we tried to get the strong-box out of this house, was gone, he
+knowed in a minute what was up, an' he was about the maddest man you
+ever see. But he couldn't take time to hunt you up, an' all he could do
+was to swear that he'd hold fast to you the next time he got his hands
+on to you."
+
+"He'll never get his hands on me again," said George confidently.
+
+"I hope he won't, but if he does it'll be worse for you. That there
+black hoss of your'n is dead," continued Springer; "he was shot at
+Querétaro. You see, when we got down to the place where the fightin' was
+goin' on, we knowed in a minute that Max couldn't hold out much longer,
+so we started one dark night to cross over to Juarez. His soldiers seen
+us comin', an', thinkin' that we were up to some trick or another, they
+turned loose on us an' cut us up fearful."
+
+"It served you just right," said George, with honest indignation. "You
+had no business to go in with Maximilian in the first place, but having
+joined him you ought to have stood by him to the last."
+
+"We _did_ stand by him after that, 'cause we had to," answered Springer.
+"But it didn't take 'em long to captur' the place, an' it didn't take
+them long either to say what should be done with Max. He an' Mejia an'
+Miramon were took out on a hill near the ruins of an old stone fort an'
+shot. I didn't see it, 'cause I was under guard with Fletcher an' the
+rest; but I heared some of 'em who did see it say that just before the
+shooting was done Max he says to Miramon, 'The bravest man should have
+the post of honor;' so he puts Miramon in the middle, an' Max he stood
+on the left. It was a mean piece of business all the way through," said
+Springer, drawing his hand nervously across his forehead, "an' I am
+powerful glad that I am well out of it. Now, Mr. George, seein' as how
+you belong to the army, mebbe I had oughter tell you something. You
+remember them two Greasers who shot that cowboy down to Rio Grande City,
+an' was put in jail for it, don't you? Well, they belong to our gang,
+an' Fletcher an' the rest are getting ready to go down there an' take
+'em out."
+
+"Very well. Go right down to the commanding officer at Eagle Pass and
+tell him of it," said George promptly. "Then come up to Fort Lamoine,
+and we'll see if the colonel won't do something for Fletcher when he
+comes over here to capture me."
+
+"An' there's another thing I had oughter tell you, Mr. George,"
+continued Springer, sinking his voice almost to a whisper. "I come over
+here as a sort of spy, like. I am to find out all I can about your
+ways--where you go of nights, an' all that, you know--an' then I am to
+go down to Rio City, take a look about the jail, see how many guards
+there are, an' everything else that is worth knowin', an' after that I
+am to go back an' tell Fletcher."
+
+"I am glad you didn't say so while my men were in here," observed
+George.
+
+"I was just a trifle too sharp for that," said Springer, shaking his
+head and looking very wise. "I don't want to make them any madder at me
+than they be now."
+
+"But you are not going back to Fletcher with any news, are you? You told
+me you had left him for good."
+
+"Mr. George," said Springer earnestly, "I ain't agoin' to take no news
+acrost the river that will do anybody there any good. I ain't forgot
+that you helped me when I was a-starving for grub an' water, and I ain't
+likely to forget it, nuther. I did say I had quit them fellers for good,
+an' when I said it I meant it; but you can see by the way your own men
+used me, right here under your nose, that I couldn't stay here without
+nobody to back me up. I can't starve, so I'll have to go back till you
+come home again."
+
+"If you will stay on this side of the river I will see that you don't
+starve," replied George. "After you have told the commanding officer at
+Eagle Pass of the attempt that is to be made to release those murderers,
+come up to Fort Lamoine and I will find some honest work for you to do.
+The soldiers at the post are not acquainted with you, and consequently
+there will be no one to trouble you. I will say that you used to work
+for my father, and that will help you to a position."
+
+While Springer was trying to make the boy understand how grateful he was
+to him for his kindness, there was a rap at the door, and Bob thrust his
+head into the room to announce in a surly tone that breakfast was
+ready.
+
+"Where's Zeke?" asked George.
+
+"Gone," was the laconic reply.
+
+"All right! If he is foolish enough to go off without any breakfast, let
+him go. He'll meet me somewhere along the trail and say good-bye, I
+know. Bob," added George, pointing to the clothes-bag, which he had
+packed while he and his visitor were conversing, "put this into the
+pack-saddle, and have everything ready, so that I can start as soon as I
+have eaten breakfast.--Come on, Springer."
+
+George led the way into an adjoining room, and found an excellent
+breakfast waiting for him. The cook, knowing that this was the last meal
+the young master of the ranche would eat at that table for long months
+to come, had exhausted all his knowledge of the cuisine in the effort to
+serve up a breakfast that would tempt George to eat, no matter whether
+he was hungry or not.
+
+True to his promise, Bob kept out of the breakfast-room, and George and
+his guest were obliged to wait on themselves; but as they were used to
+that, they got on very well. While they were eating George once more
+repeated the instructions he had given Springer, and reiterated his
+promise to furnish him with steady employment and give him a chance to
+make an honest living.
+
+Breakfast over, George accompanied his guest to the door, and saw him
+ride away toward Eagle Pass. As soon as he was out of sight the boy went
+into the house after his weapons and to take leave of the servants, who
+were good-natured enough now that Springer was gone. After shaking them
+all by the hand, and listening to their hearty wishes for his safe and
+speedy return, he mounted his horse, which stood at the porch saddled
+and bridled, took his pack-mule by the halter and rode away toward Mr.
+Gilbert's ranche. The first person to greet him as he drew rein in front
+of the door was Zeke, who had so emphatically declared that he would not
+have another word to say to him.
+
+"Where's that pizen varmint?" demanded the herdsman in no very amiable
+tones.
+
+"Look here, Zeke," replied George, "if you should happen to meet that
+man while I am gone, I want you to treat him civilly; do you understand?
+If you see him in trouble, I want you to help him out. He is sorry for
+what he has done, and intends to lead a better life; and if you don't
+assist him in every way you can, you are not the fellow I take you for."
+
+"Humph!" exclaimed Zeke contemptuously. "Sorry, ain't he? Wants to lead
+a better life, don't he? Well, it's mighty little chance he'll have if
+he makes a business of bumpin' up agin me the way he did this mornin', I
+bet you."
+
+"He couldn't help it; Jake and Bob threw him against you. I know he is
+in earnest, for he has proved it. He came to the ranch to tell me that
+my old friend Fletcher is coming over to capture me next full moon, and
+he has now gone down to warn the officer in command at Eagle Pass that
+an attempt will soon be made to liberate the murderers who are in jail
+there.--Good-morning, Mr. Gilbert. I have stopped to say good-bye."
+
+"Why don't you slap your foot down an' tell him he sha'n't go, Gilbert?"
+demanded Zeke.
+
+"I am as sorry to have him go as you are," replied Mr. Gilbert. "But it
+is to our interest to do all we can to break up this raiding business,
+and George can do more than any of us. In fact, he is the only one in
+the settlement who can do anything, for you know the colonel wouldn't
+accept the services of our company of Rangers when we offered them to
+him.--Come in, George, and say good-bye to Mrs. Gilbert and the girls."
+
+This was soon done, for the boy did not like to linger over the parting;
+but still, it was much harder for him to take leave of these good
+friends than he thought it would be. The whole family accompanied him to
+the door, and when he came out Zeke turned his back to him.
+
+"Say good-bye to me," said George, giving him a pat on the shoulder;
+"it's your last chance."
+
+"I don't care if it is," shouted the old fellow; "I won't do it."
+
+"Then I will say it to you: Good-bye, Zeke. It will be a long time
+before I see you again, if indeed I ever do, but I never shall forget
+you. You have been a good friend to me."
+
+This was altogether too much for the honest herdsman. He faced quickly
+about, and, seizing George's hand with a grip that brought tears to his
+eyes, churned it up and down like a pump-handle. Then he dropped it and
+turned away, while George, without saying another word, vaulted into his
+saddle and rode off. Zeke watched him as long as he remained in sight,
+and then in broken accents addressed the silent group who stood in the
+doorway:
+
+"Thar's that there boy."--here he waved his hand in the direction in
+which George had disappeared--"he was all I had, an' now he's gone off
+to fight them Greasers without askin' me would I let him go. I toted him
+in them there arms when he was a yellin' babby not knee-high to a duck;
+I put him on the fust hoss he ever rid; I slept under the same blanket
+an' herded cattle with him when he got bigger; I larnt him how to throw
+the lasso an' shoot the rifle; an' now he's went off an' left me alone!
+Dog-gone them pizen Greasers!" roared Zeke, flourishing both his fists
+in the air.
+
+He lingered a moment, looking rather sharply at Mr. Gilbert, as if he
+had half a mind to take him to task for giving his consent to George's
+"fool notion," and then, thinking better of it, he lumbered down the
+steps, mounted his horse and galloped off toward the place where he had
+left his herd in charge of an assistant.
+
+George camped two nights on the prairie, and on the third afternoon, an
+hour or two before sunset, he arrived within sight of one of the
+stage-company's deserted stables. Or, rather, it _was_ deserted the
+last time he saw it, but now there was an armed soldier in front of the
+door, and he was presently joined by others, one of whom, by signs,
+invited him to approach. George complied, and presently found himself
+surrounded by a squad of troopers under the command of Corporal Bob
+Owens, who greeted him as we have described.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+HOW BRYANT WAS CAPTURED.
+
+
+Reveille was sounded the next morning by Corporal Owens, who, having no
+drum or bugle at his command, sprang up at daylight and aroused his
+slumbering companions by shouting out the order, "Catch up!" More from
+the force of habit than anything else, he called the roll while he was
+bundling up the blankets on which he and George had slept, and, making
+the sergeant's salute to an imaginary officer, he announced: "All
+present or accounted for." Then Carey was ordered to boil the coffee,
+and Bob and the three troopers who were off duty went out to groom the
+horses. Having brought no brushes or currycombs with them, they were
+obliged to content themselves with rubbing the animals down with
+handfuls of grass; but they "went through the motions," as Bob expressed
+it, and that was all the most exacting officer could have expected of
+them under the circumstances.
+
+As soon as breakfast had been eaten the troopers and their prisoners set
+out on the return march, Bob and the new scout leading the way. Behind
+them came the deserters, guarded on each flank and in the rear by two
+cavalrymen. Their advance was necessarily slow, for the captives had
+travelled rapidly the day before in order to put a safe distance between
+themselves and the fort, and they were weary and footsore. Gus Robbins,
+especially, was nearly "done up." He was in a worse condition than
+Talbot was, for the latter seemed to have slept off the effects of his
+wound. George felt the greatest compassion for Gus, and offered to lend
+him his horse; but Bob, who had grown somewhat hardened to suffering
+during his experience in the army, positively forbade it.
+
+"It wouldn't do, George," said he, looking admiringly at his friend's
+sleek, well-conditioned animal, which was constantly champing his bit
+and tossing his head as if he were growing impatient at the slow
+progress they were making. "Gus would make a break for liberty sure, and
+as that nag of yours is able to distance anything in my party, I'd have
+to--" Here Bob tapped his carbine significantly. "That's something I
+don't want to do. Gus isn't so nearly exhausted as he seems to be. He
+is more distressed in mind than he is in body, for he is thinking of the
+prison at Fort Leavenworth. After we have gone a few miles we will rest
+them by taking them up behind us, but it wouldn't be a very bright trick
+to give one of them a horse to himself."
+
+About eleven o'clock a halt was ordered, and the deserters, who were
+riding behind the troopers, having dismounted, Corporal Owens took Carey
+off on one side and gave him some very emphatic instructions. Then he
+and George also dismounted, and, leaving their horses behind, made their
+way cautiously toward a ridge a short distance in advance of them. As
+they neared the top they threw themselves on their hands and knees and
+crept up until they could look over it. They were in plain view of the
+squatter's cabin at which the troopers had stopped to eat their dinner
+the day before. Bob took just one look at it, and then hastily backed
+down the ridge again.
+
+"Did you see that fellow chopping wood in front of the shanty?" said he,
+addressing himself to George. "That's the man I am looking for."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Am I sure that I have a pair of good eyes?" asked Bob in reply. "Of
+course I am. I recognized him in spite of his citizen's clothes. That
+squatter has rigged him out in some of his own duds, but they'll not
+save him if I can manage in some way to get between him and the cabin."
+
+"Perhaps, in order to make 'assurance doubly sure,' you had better take
+my field-glass and have another look at him," said George. "A false move
+might prove fatal to you, for it would show the squatter that you
+suspect him of harboring one of your men, and that would put both him
+and the deserter on their guard. But if that is your man, I am sorry for
+it."
+
+"Why are you?" demanded Bob, looking at his companion in great surprise.
+
+"I mean that I am sorry you found him here," George hastened to explain,
+"for the chances are that you will not take him without a fight.
+Peasley--that's the name of the owner of the cabin--is a notorious
+rough, and he would think no more of putting a bullet into you, if he
+thought he could escape the consequences, than he would of knocking over
+an antelope for breakfast."
+
+"I thought he looked like that kind of a chap," said Bob. "Well, if he
+wants a fight he can be accommodated at very short notice. That's my
+man, and I am going to have him, squatter or no squatter."
+
+As Bob gave utterance to this emphatic declaration he took the
+field-glass, which George handed over to him, crept up to the top of the
+ridge, and after taking a short survey of the cabin and its surroundings
+came back to his friend's side again.
+
+"I knew I couldn't be mistaken," said he. "I had a fair view of his
+face, and as I have seen him every day for the last year, of course I
+couldn't fail to recognize him. The squatter is sitting on the porch
+smoking his pipe. Now, how shall I go to work to nab him? That's the
+question."
+
+"Ride straight up to him and tell him that you want him," answered
+George. "I know of no easier way. I will go with you and see that
+Peasley doesn't double-team on you."
+
+"But Bryant will run into the house the moment he sees me," said Bob.
+
+"Then run right in after him and pull him out again," answered George
+promptly.
+
+"I am almost afraid to do it. You see, the civil law is supposed to be
+supreme, and we soldiers have to mind what we are about, or else
+there'll be a big row raised about 'military despotism' and all that.
+I'd have to surround the house and keep him in there until I could send
+to the post and get authority from the colonel to go in after him. That
+is something I shouldn't like to do, for I have carried this thing
+through so far without help from anybody, and I want to complete the
+work myself. If I should ask for advice, the colonel would probably send
+a shoulder-strap down here to rob me of all the glory I have won," added
+Bob with a smile.
+
+"Oh, you needn't laugh over it," exclaimed George. "You have covered
+yourself with glory. It isn't every fellow who would go down into a
+dug-out to capture six armed men after one of them had given positive
+proof that he was not afraid to shoot. That bullet-hole in your coat is
+a badge of honor. Now, I have just thought of something: I have brought
+with me a full suit of Mexican clothes, and also a saddle and bridle of
+the Mexican pattern. You are just about my size--"
+
+"That's the very idea--nothing could be better," exclaimed Bob, as he
+arose to his feet and led the way toward the place where he had left his
+men. "It will disguise me completely, won't it? I can ride up and get
+between him and the house before he suspects anything, can't I? But how
+about the squatter?"
+
+"I'll join you as soon as I see that you have corralled your man,"
+replied George. "And you had better tell your followers to hold
+themselves in readiness to come up promptly when I signal to them from
+the top of the ridge."
+
+The troopers awaited the boys' return with no little impatience, for the
+long consultation they had held on the ridge convinced them that their
+officer had discovered something on the other side of it. Bob gave them
+a wink and a nod, which instead of satisfying their curiosity only
+increased it, and then, to the surprise of all of them, began to divest
+himself of his outer clothing, while George threw off the canvas
+covering that protected his pack, and drew out of it an elegant
+silver-mounted saddle and bridle, and also a suit of clothes made in the
+height of the Mexican fashion.
+
+"If that man of yours is at all sharp he will notice those army-brogans
+the first thing, and so you had better pull them off and put on these,"
+said George, tossing a pair of light patent-leather shoes toward Bob.
+"There are the spurs. You had better take my horse too, for that 'U. S.'
+brand on your own nag would give you away in a minute. Now go easy, like
+an honest Greaser who is going about his legitimate business. Take my
+mule with you, for if you try to separate him from the horse he'll raise
+row enough to scare all the deserters out of the State."
+
+It is wonderful what an alteration is sometimes made in one's appearance
+by a mere change of clothing. After Bob had got into the Mexican suit
+and exchanged his cap for the wide sombrero with its gaudy cord and
+tassel, it was doubtful if there was one among his brother-troopers who
+would have recognized him if he had chanced to meet him unexpectedly.
+Although he was not quite yellow enough for a Mexican, he was
+nevertheless pretty well tanned, and George assured him that all he
+needed was a black moustache and a long goatee to transform him into a
+very good-looking Greaser.
+
+Everything being in readiness, Bob mounted George's horse, took the
+pack-mule's halter, which his friend passed up to him, and, after giving
+Carey instructions to bring up the squad and the prisoners promptly
+when he was signalled to do so, he rode slowly away, the new scout
+following a short distance in his rear, mounted on Bob's nag.
+
+Arriving at the top of the ridge, Corporal Owens rode over it without
+pausing, and had not proceeded far before he became aware that he was
+discovered. The squatter got up and came to the end of the porch, the
+deserter ceased his chopping and leaned on his axe, and both shaded
+their eyes with their hands and looked at him. It was plain that they
+were not very well pleased with the result of their observations, for,
+after gazing at him for a few seconds, the squatter returned to his seat
+and puffed furiously at his pipe, and the deserter resumed his chopping.
+At the same moment the dogs appeared in force from under the cabin,
+their every action indicating that they had been summoned by the voice
+of their master. They looked up at him, wagging their tails vigorously,
+and then, encouraged, no doubt, by a low hiss or an order to "hunt 'em
+up," began running about with their heads high in the air. Discovering
+the approaching horseman, they started for him on the instant, each one
+striving to lead in the race and to growl and bark louder than his
+companions.
+
+"They don't think much of Greasers in this part of the country," said
+Bob to himself; "and I don't blame them. If I were a stock-raiser I
+shouldn't feel very hospitably inclined toward a class of men who are
+always on the watch for a chance to jump down on me and steal my cattle.
+I wonder if I shall have pluck enough to dismount in the midst of all
+these dogs and make the arrest?" added Bob as the fierce brutes closed
+about him, all of them with their ears laid back close to their heads
+and their hair turned the wrong way, and some crouching at his side as
+if they were about to spring up and pull him out of his saddle.--"Get
+out! If you interfere with my business there won't be as many of you
+to-night as there were this morning. Aha! there's one of you out of the
+muss already."
+
+[Illustration: BOB CAPTURES THE DESERTER.]
+
+For just here the mule gave a tug at his halter, and Bob, looking over
+his shoulder to see what was the matter, caught a momentary glimpse of a
+tawny body as it rose in the air, and, turning a complete somersault,
+landed on the ground all in a heap. One of the dogs, in his eagerness to
+do something grand, had approached a little too close to the mule's
+heels--an impertinence which that sagacious quadruped promptly resented
+by kicking out with both hind feet and knocking his would-be assailant
+into a cocked hat. The dog was not killed, but he was terribly
+demoralized, and his howls of anguish did much to dampen the ardor of
+his companions, who quickly withdrew to a more respectful distance.
+
+Bob rode straight up to the house, but the squatter never looked at him,
+nor did the deserter stop his work. He drew rein in front of the porch,
+swung himself out of the saddle as quick as a flash, and, paying no
+attention to the dogs, which bayed him at a distance, but were too
+cowardly to assault him, he walked up to the deserter and tapped him on
+the shoulder.
+
+"Bryant, I want you," said he.
+
+The deserter, whose back was turned toward Bob, wheeled on the instant,
+revealing a face that was as white as a sheet. Bob backed around a
+little, so that he could keep one eye on Bryant while he watched the
+squatter with the other, and saw the man spring to his feet in the
+greatest astonishment, his pipe dropping from his mouth as he arose.
+
+"You didn't expect to see me again so soon, did you?" said Bob,
+addressing himself to nobody in particular.
+
+"Corporal Owens!" gasped the deserter, retreating a step or two, at the
+same time grasping his axe firmly in both hands and lifting it over his
+head. "Keep away from me; if you come a step nearer I'll--"
+
+"Drop it!" commanded Bob sternly; and Bryant obeyed, for he saw the
+muzzle of a cocked revolver looking him squarely in the face.
+
+All this happened in less time than we have taken to tell it, but
+meanwhile the squatter had not been idle. Quickly recovering from his
+amazement, he darted into the cabin, and just as Bryant dropped the
+threatening axe he appeared upon the porch with his rifle in his hand.
+Cocking it as he drew it to his face, he covered Bob's head with the
+weapon, and said, in a voice that trembled with rage and excitement,
+
+"Look a here, young fellow, that's a game two can play at. Lower your
+shootin'-iron or I'll make daylight shine through you."
+
+"Plump him over, Peasley!" cried Bryant, "plump him over! You are not
+going to stand there and let him take me back to the fort, are you? You
+promised to protect me. Plump him over! put the dogs on him! Do
+something, and be quick about it."
+
+Bob bore himself with surprising courage during this trying ordeal. He
+did not know at what instant the squatter might comply with Bryant's
+frantic order to "plump him over" or to "put the dogs on him," but he
+never flinched. He did not even change color; and there is every reason
+to believe that his bold front saved his life.
+
+"Bryant," said he in a calm voice, "don't you know that the colonel will
+be sure to hear of this, and that you are only making a bad matter worse
+by holding out against the inevitable?--As for you, Peasley, you've got
+the drop on me, and you can shoot if you feel like it; but if you do you
+are a gone squatter. Look there," he added, jerking his thumb over his
+shoulder.
+
+Peasley looked, and saw George Ackerman coming down the ridge at a
+furious gallop.
+
+"That is one of my backers, and there are six more who will be along in
+a minute. What did I tell you?" exclaimed Bob as the troopers and their
+prisoners came into view over the top of the ridge. "Now, Peasley, if
+you don't behave yourself I'll take you to the fort under arrest. I am
+in the discharge of my duty, and I am not going to put up with any more
+nonsense."
+
+The squatter lowered his rifle, looked first at Bryant and then at the
+troopers, and seemed undecided how to act. While he hesitated George
+Ackerman dashed up to the porch, jumping out of his saddle before his
+horse had fairly stopped, and, knocking the dogs right and left with the
+heavy cavalry sabre which he had found fastened to Bob's saddle, he
+mounted the steps and laid hold of the squatter's rifle.
+
+"Peasley, what are you about?" he exclaimed as he twisted the weapon out
+of the man's unresisting grasp. "Are you a born idiot? If you are not,
+don't you know that if you raise a fuss here you won't have any roof
+left over your head in less than five minutes?"
+
+The squatter, muttering something under his breath, went back to his
+seat and picked up his pipe, and in a few minutes more the troopers and
+their prisoners arrived. At a sign from his officer, Loring dismounted
+and stood guard over Bryant, while Bob walked up to the porch.
+
+"What do you think of the situation now, friend Peasley?" said he
+cheerfully. "I can't take that man to the fort in those clothes, and so
+I would thank you to trot out his uniform."
+
+"Don't know nothing 'bout no uniform," growled the squatter; "ain't none
+here."
+
+"I know better," answered Bob. "There is one here, and I must have it.
+You can either bring it out yourself or I shall search for it; and I
+give you fair warning that if I turn my boys loose in your shanty
+they'll handle things rough.--Now, what shall I do if that threat
+doesn't start him?" said Bob to himself. "I'll search the cabin and take
+the consequences; that's what I'll do."
+
+"Come, Peasley, save yourself trouble by bringing out the uniform," said
+George. "There's no use in being a fool."
+
+The squatter evidently began to think so too, for he sullenly rose from
+his seat and went into the cabin, coming out again in a few minutes with
+a bundle of clothing, which he threw spitefully down upon the porch. Bob
+quietly picked it up, and, carrying it down to Bryant, commanded him to
+pull off the squatter's clothes and put on his own; and Bryant at once
+complied, for he knew that if he did not Bob would detail two or three
+men to make the exchange for him. The new prisoner was then ordered to
+fall in with the rest, and the cavalcade once more took up its line of
+march for the fort; but a short stop was made as soon as they were out
+of sight of the squatter's cabin, during which Bob pulled off his
+disguise and put on his own garments.
+
+"If I am ever obliged to wear this suit, I hope it will serve me as well
+as it has served you to-day," said George as he stowed the Mexican
+costume away in his pack and placed the silver-mounted saddle and bridle
+on top of it. "I didn't think it would so soon be brought into use."
+
+"If it hadn't been for that same suit I might have got myself into
+trouble," said Bob. "Knowing where Bryant was, I never should have gone
+back to the fort without him, and if he had taken refuge in the house I
+might have gone in after him. What the colonel would have said to me if
+I had done that, I don't know."
+
+During the ride to the fort Bob Owens, to quote from the troopers,
+"laughed all over." It was plain to everybody that he was highly elated
+over the results of the expedition, as he had an undoubted right to be.
+The pursuit and capture of the deserters had been conducted with
+considerable skill, and with as much determination as any veteran
+officer could have exhibited. Now that the danger was over, and his
+efforts to carry out the orders of his superior had been crowned with
+complete success, Bob was rather proud of that bullet-hole in his coat.
+
+The next time the order was given for the troopers to take the prisoners
+on their horses, George beckoned to Gus Robbins, who quickly mounted
+behind him. After conversing a while upon the various exciting incidents
+that had transpired while Gus was Ned Ackerman's guest at George's
+ranche, the latter said,
+
+"I never expected to meet you again, and I would rather not have met you
+at all than see you in this scrape."
+
+"Well, it can't be helped now," answered Gus, with a weak unsuccessful
+attempt to appear defiant. "The colonel told me just what I might expect
+if I were ever again court-marshaled for desertion, and I went at it
+with my eyes open. I am not sorry I tried it, but I am sorry I didn't
+get away. If they don't watch me pretty closely, they will never have a
+chance to take me to Leavenworth."
+
+"What do you suppose your father will say when he finds it out?" asked
+George.
+
+"He will never find it out if I can help it."
+
+"Don't you correspond with him?"
+
+"Not by a great sight. He doesn't know whether I am dead or alive. I
+wish I had changed my name when I enlisted."
+
+"He lives in Foxboro', Ohio, I believe?" said George.
+
+Gus replied that he did.
+
+"Is his name Gus too?"
+
+"No; his name is Thomas, and he is--I say," exclaimed Gus suddenly,
+"what are you asking so many questions for? Do you intend to write to
+him about me?"
+
+"Why, what object could I possibly have in doing that?" asked George,
+turning a very innocent-looking face toward the deserter. "I am sure it
+is none of my business what you do. Let's talk about something else. We
+are getting over the ground pretty rapidly now, and if Bob would let me
+I could land you in the fort in four hours. I don't suppose that you are
+in any hurry to get there, but what I meant was, that your additional
+weight would not prevent this horse of mine from travelling from here to
+the fort at his very best licks."
+
+"No, I don't weigh much now," said Gus with a sigh. "Hard work, hard
+fare, hard treatment and constant worry have brought me down to a
+hundred and ten pounds."
+
+"That's not very heavy for a seventeen-year-old boy."
+
+"Oh, I am nineteen," said Gus, "but just now I feel as though I were
+forty."
+
+"And you look so, too," said George to himself.--"That was the reason I
+wanted to know your exact age."
+
+George had now learned all he cared to know about Gus Robbins. He was a
+minor, his father's name was Thomas and he lived in Foxboro', Ohio. He
+had gone to work in a roundabout way to gain this information, because
+he was afraid that if he asked Gus leading questions and told him what
+use he intended to make of his answers, the deserter would refuse to
+open his head. He had gained his point by strategy, and he did not
+intend that Gus should go to Leavenworth if he could help it.
+
+Bob's supply of rations being nearly exhausted, his men and the
+deserters had a very scant dinner, and they did not get anything more to
+eat until they reached the fort. About ten o'clock that night they were
+challenged by one of the sentries, and, not knowing the countersign,
+were obliged to wait until the corporal of the guard was called. Having
+at last been admitted inside of the stockade, Bob marched up in front of
+head-quarters, where he ordered a halt, and he and George dismounted and
+went in to report to the colonel. Bob was very much astonished at the
+manner in which the officer greeted the new scout, and so was the
+orderly. They had never before seen him unbend to anybody as he did to
+George. Having never been admitted into head-quarters except when they
+had business there--some report to make, some orders to receive or some
+sharp reprimand to listen to--they knew the commandant only as a stern,
+exacting officer who seemed to care for nothing but the "regulations,"
+and they had never imagined that he could be cordial or friendly with
+any one. But now they saw their mistake. The colonel got up from his
+seat, shook the boy warmly by the hand, told him he was glad to see
+him, called him by his Christian name and pointed him to an easy-chair,
+while Bob was left to stand at attention until the colonel got ready to
+attend to him.
+
+"You are all ready for business I see, George," said the colonel as he
+resumed his seat at the table. "Well, I'll give you a taste of army-life
+by sending you out on a scout to-morrow. I will tell you about it pretty
+soon. There's your room," he added, pointing to an apartment adjoining
+his own, "and when you get ready you can bring in your luggage. The
+officer of the day will show you where to put your horse. You will have
+to be your own servant, unless you are willing to hire a civilian and
+pay him out of your own pocket. I saw that you came in with Corporal
+Owens: did he arrest you?"
+
+"He was going to, sir," replied George, "but let me off when I showed
+him my furlough."
+
+"Corporal," continued the colonel, turning to Bob, who stood lost in
+wonder, "what report have you to make?"
+
+"I have the honor, sir, to report my entire success," was Bob's reply;
+"I've got them all."
+
+"Where are they now?"
+
+"On the parade, under guard, sir."
+
+"Very good. Keep them there until further orders. Tell the officer of
+the day I want to see him."
+
+George thought this was rather hard. Bob had risked his life and
+displayed most commendable zeal and ability in carrying out the
+colonel's orders, and now the latter dismissed him without one single
+word to indicate that he appreciated his services. Why did he not
+question the corporal in regard to the manner in which the capture of
+the deserters had been effected, and reward him for his gallantry by
+making him a sergeant on the spot? That was what George thought _he_
+would have done if he had been commandant of the post, and he then and
+there resolved that a full history of Bob's exploit should be laid
+before the colonel before he went to sleep that night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+GEORGE AT THE FORT.
+
+
+"Colonel, that young fellow has had a very hard time of it," said George
+when Bob had closed the door behind him.
+
+"I expected it," replied the officer carelessly. "It is a wonder to me
+that the deserters didn't kill him, for there were some hard characters
+among them and they were well armed."
+
+This remark would seem to indicate that the colonel was a most unfeeling
+man, and that he did not set much if any value upon the life of a
+non-commissioned officer; but such was not really the case. When he was
+a subaltern his superiors had often assigned to him some very hazardous
+undertakings, and when he attained to a rank that entitled him to a
+command he sent others into danger and thought nothing of it. A
+soldier's first and last duty was to obey any orders he might receive,
+and if he lost his life while in the act of executing those orders,
+why, it was nothing more than might be expected.
+
+"They did try to kill him," said George. "Didn't you notice that hole in
+the breast of his coat?"
+
+"I did, and I thought it looked as though it had been made by a bullet."
+
+"So it was. Bristow shot at him. He wanted to be revenged on Bob for
+telling you about those thirty men who tried to desert some time ago,
+and if he had been a little better marksman you would have been put to
+the trouble of appointing a new corporal in the place of as brave a boy
+as ever swung a sabre."
+
+"Why, George," exclaimed the colonel, becoming interested, "you are
+quite enthusiastic. Do you know Corporal Owens?"
+
+"Yes, sir. He is the one who pulled me out of the river on the night the
+old Sam Kendall was burned."
+
+"Oh yes; you told me about that the first time you were here. Where did
+the corporal find Bristow and his party?"
+
+George answered this question by giving the colonel a circumstantial
+account of the pursuit, as he had heard it from Bob's lips, and the
+manner in which he had gone to work to secure the deserters after he had
+discovered their place of refuge. His description of Bryant's arrest
+amused the officer, who declared that it was a very neat piece of
+strategy.
+
+Having placed Bob's case in the most favorable light possible, George
+then went on to tell the colonel about Springer's unexpected visit to
+his ranche, and described in detail the intended movements of Fletcher
+and his band. The officer said he had done right in sending the
+cattle-thief to warn the commandant at Eagle Pass, and had no doubt that
+that officer would take measures to assist the civil authorities at Rio
+Grande City in protecting the jail and giving Fletcher and his men a
+warm reception when they came across the river; but, in order to explain
+what happened afterward, we must here say that he did nothing of the
+kind. Unfortunately for Springer, he was recognized by some ranchemen
+who happened to be hanging about the post, and in spite of his
+protestations he was arrested and turned over to the marshal, who locked
+him up. No attention whatever was paid to his warning, and so positive
+was the marshal that there was "something back of it" that he would not
+even permit the prisoner to tell his story.
+
+The cattle-thief remained in jail until the next full moon, and then
+Fletcher and his men suddenly made their appearance, just as Springer
+said they would. As no precautions had been taken to guard the prison,
+the raiders had an easy victory, and before assistance could arrive from
+the Pass, Springer and the murderers of the cowboy had been released and
+Fletcher was safe across the river. Springer, of course, was much too
+sharp to tell how he came to be an inmate of the jail, and the boss
+cattle-thief, believing that he had been arrested while trying to carry
+out his instructions, treated him with the greatest consideration.
+
+"What did you mean by saying that you would give me a taste of army-life
+by sending me out on a scout to-morrow?" asked George after he had
+finished his story. "Any raiding going on about here?"
+
+"Well, yes. I am going to send Clinton out to punish a war-party of
+Kiowas if he can catch them. I am aware you are used to roughing it, but
+you know nothing about campaigning with troops, and I thought I would
+give you a chance to get your hand in before I call upon you to lead us
+across the river. Some young bucks belonging to Satanta's band, the most
+of them mere boys, have broken away from their agency and come down here
+in pursuit of scalps and fame. Among other outrages which they have
+committed, they jumped down on a poor fellow the other day, killed or
+scattered his herdsmen, drove off his stock and carried his two children
+into captivity. I should like to be the means of ridding the frontier of
+that villain, for he is dangerous. During a peace-council that was held
+at Fort Dodge some time ago, Satanta talked so glibly about his desire
+to cultivate friendly relations with us, and his unalterable
+determination to 'follow the white man's road' in future, that he really
+succeeded in making the commissioners believe that he was sincere in
+what he said. To encourage him in his good resolutions, the department
+commander and staff presented him with a uniform coat and sash and a
+brigadier-general's hat. How the wily old scoundrel must have laughed in
+his sleeve when he saw how completely he had bamboozled some of our best
+soldiers!"
+
+"How long did he keep his promise?" asked George.
+
+"About three weeks, and then he led an attack, dressed in his new
+uniform, against the fort in which the council was held. Oh, he's a good
+one! I know you didn't come here to fight Indians, but you'll have to
+hold yourself in readiness for anything that turns up."
+
+"You will always find me around when you want me," replied George. "May
+I write a letter here?" he continued, seeing that the colonel picked up
+his pen and turned to his table to resume some writing in which he had
+been interrupted when Bob and the new scout came in to report.
+
+"Certainly. There are pens, ink and paper; help yourself. There's the
+letter-box over there. The mail-carrier goes out to-morrow."
+
+Before George could begin work on his letter the officer of the day came
+in. He shook hands with the new-comer, to whom he had been introduced on
+the occasion of the boy's first visit to the fort, and was told by the
+colonel to put the deserters into the guard-house, to show George where
+to stake out his horse and mule, and to see that he had somebody to help
+him bring in his pack-saddle.
+
+The work of bringing in his luggage and taking care of his animals was
+soon performed, and then George came back and began his letter. It took
+him a long time to write it, for he wanted to make it one that would
+produce an impression upon the person to whom it was addressed. It was
+to Gus Robbins's father. It conveyed to that gentleman the information
+that although his son was alive and in fair bodily health, he had
+brought himself into serious trouble, having been detected in two
+attempts at desertion, and unless his friends at home interested
+themselves in his behalf he had a fair prospect of going to prison. If
+Mr. Robbins would move in the matter he could easily procure the
+culprit's discharge from the service, for he was a minor and had
+enlisted without his father's consent; but if there was anything done it
+must be done quickly, for it was probable that a court-martial would be
+convened in a very few days. Having sealed and addressed the letter, he
+bade the colonel good-night and went to bed, feeling satisfied that he
+had done all he could for the unfortunate Gus.
+
+George slept soundly, as he always did, but the morning gun and the
+first notes of reveille awoke him. While he was making his toilet with
+his usual care and deliberation--as we have said, his long intercourse
+with river-dandies had made him very particular on this point--his
+friend, Bob Owens, and the men who occupied the quarters with him, were
+hurrying on their clothes in order to get into line in time to answer to
+their names at roll-call. While they were dressing they talked, and this
+was a portion of the conversation that took place between the corporal
+and one of the colonel's orderlies--the same one who had been on duty
+when Bob went in to report his arrival with the deserters.
+
+"I say, Owens," exclaimed the orderly, "who was that nobby young officer
+who came in with you last night? What is his name, and what rank does he
+hold? I know he is green, for he didn't know enough to put on a
+dress-coat before he went into the colonel's presence."
+
+"His name is George Ackerman," answered Bob, "but he is not an officer;
+he's a scout."
+
+"'A scout'!" repeated the orderly in a tone of contempt. "He is a
+pretty-looking scout, I must say. What does he know about life on the
+Plains?"
+
+"He knows a good deal more about it than anybody in this room, for he
+was born right here in Texas," was the reply.
+
+"Has he ever seen service?"
+
+"No, but he knows what danger is, and he has been in some situations
+that you wouldn't care to be placed in. During long months of his life
+he lived in constant fear of a violent death."
+
+"I don't doubt that he told you so, but I don't believe it, all the
+same," observed the orderly.
+
+"I can't help that. I am personally acquainted with him, and you are
+not. I was with him when the steamer to which he belonged was burned on
+the Mississippi River, and came to Texas with him. He owns a big
+cattle-ranche a few miles from here, and has an income of about forty
+thousand dollars a year."
+
+"Aha! that accounts for the milk in the cocoa-nut," exclaimed the
+orderly. "I know now why it was that the colonel met him in so friendly
+a manner. Even those stern old regulars soften in the presence of one
+who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, don't they?"
+
+"But George Ackerman's money didn't get him the position he holds," said
+Bob quickly. "He has been a prisoner among the cattle-thieves on the
+other side of the river, and knows where they hang out. He is here to
+act as our guide when we pursue the raiders across the river."
+
+"What did the cattle-thieves take him prisoner for?"
+
+"Because they were promised twenty thousand dollars for it by George's
+guardian, who wanted to get him out of the way, so that his son could
+inherit George's property. But he managed to escape from them, went up
+North and became a pilot, and it was while he was serving in that
+capacity that I made his acquaintance."
+
+"That's a very pretty story," remarked the orderly, "but doesn't it
+sound almost too much like a dime novel?"
+
+"If you don't believe it ask Gus Robbins, if you get a chance to speak
+to him. He knows George, and has reason to be grateful to him too. Gus
+came down here to visit Ned Ackerman while the latter's father was
+acting as George's guardian, and got himself into trouble that would
+have ended seriously if George had not befriended him. It was through
+that same visit that Gus got into the army."
+
+"Did you hear what the colonel said to him about a servant?" asked the
+orderly. "Whoever saw a scout with a servant? I never did, and neither
+did I ever before see a man holding that position treated with so much
+consideration by a post-commander. I can't account for it."
+
+Bob could not account for it either, and so he attempted no explanation.
+We may tell the reader that there were two good reasons for it. In the
+first place, George was not a regular scout; he might, with more
+propriety, have been called a volunteer aide. It is true that he was
+sworn into the service, and that he was bound to do his duty faithfully
+"during the pleasure of the commanding officer" of Fort Lamoine, but he
+drew no pay from the government. He did not even ask that he should be
+fed while he lived at the fort, but stood ready to pay his share of the
+mess-bill. He had freely offered his services as guide to the troops
+because he, in common with every rancheman and farmer in that country,
+wanted the raiding-parties broken up, and he believed that he could do
+as much, if not more, toward accomplishing that object than any other
+single civilian. He was not obliged to wear a uniform (being sworn in,
+he had a _right_ to wear it), but he had purchased it for the same
+reason that he had purchased the Mexican costume and the other clothing
+he had brought with him--because he believed it might some day be of use
+to him. We have already seen how one of his disguises came into play. If
+he had not brought with him that Mexican suit, it is hard to tell how
+Bryant would have been captured.
+
+In the next place, the colonel was an old acquaintance and friend of
+George's father. He had often enjoyed Mr. Ackerman's hospitality, and he
+could say, with Zeke, that he had carried George in his arms when the
+latter was a "yelling baby not knee-high to a duck," and when he himself
+was nothing but a second lieutenant. Since that time a great many things
+had happened. Mr. Ackerman and his wife were dead, the second lieutenant
+had passed through a terrible war, had worn a major-general's
+shoulder-straps in the volunteer army and won a brevet colonelcy in the
+regulars, and George had grown almost to manhood. Neither of them knew
+of the presence of the other in that country until George, accompanied
+by Mr. Gilbert and a few other ranchemen, came to the fort to offer his
+services. The colonel knew the boy as soon as he heard his name, and it
+was on account of the respect and affection he cherished for the memory
+of his father that he extended so cordial a greeting to him; but, like
+all the other soldiers who had seen him, the colonel did not think that
+George was just the guide he wanted.
+
+"I need somebody with age and experience, George," said he, "and you
+have neither. I know you can handle a herd of cattle and manage your
+ranche in good style, but I am not so certain of your ability to act as
+guide to my troops. I admire your pluck, and I should be glad to have
+you come here and live until you get tired of it; and in order to make
+it lawful for you to stay here, I will give you a position as
+forage-master."
+
+"I am very much obliged to you, sir, but that is a berth I don't want,"
+answered George. "I want to help put down those raiders."
+
+"But just think of the responsibility that would rest upon you,"
+protested the colonel. "A single blunder on your part might cripple me
+fearfully."
+
+"You need have no fears on that score," said Mr. Gilbert. "George is
+good wherever you put him. He is acquainted with Fletcher, who is the
+most active of all the raiders who trouble us; he knows where he hangs
+out, and he is the only one on this side of the river who does. When it
+comes to trailing, he is at home there too. Can you look at a trail and
+tell how old it is and how many men or horses made it?"
+
+No, the colonel couldn't do that. He always looked to his scouts for
+information on those points.
+
+"George can do it," said Mr. Gilbert. "He has served his time under one
+of the best trailers in the country; and that is Zeke, his herdsman."
+
+After a little more conversation the colonel, although not without many
+misgivings, accepted the offer of George's services; and he never had
+occasion to regret it. During the very first expedition that was sent
+out of the fort after he reported there for duty he showed what he was
+made of, and gave the colonel reason for placing almost unlimited
+confidence in his judgment. Acting as Bob Owens's counsellor, he enabled
+the latter to perform an exploit that made him the lion of the post.
+
+Having dressed himself, George passed through the colonel's office and
+out through the hall to the parade. In the outer door was seated a man
+who was bent half double, with his elbows resting on his knees and his
+face buried in his hands. Hearing the sound of the boy's footsteps, he
+raised his head, revealing a countenance so haggard and sorrowful that
+George was startled at the sight of it. The man moved aside to allow him
+room to pass, and then covered his face with his hands again, and as
+George walked out he was sure he heard him utter a suppressed moan. The
+man was not a soldier, for he was dressed in citizen's clothes. He
+looked like a rancheman; and as George was a rancheman himself, he
+naturally felt some sympathy for the unknown sufferer. After hesitating
+a moment, weighing in his mind the propriety of the step he was about to
+take, he turned back and asked,
+
+"What is the matter with you, sir? Are you ill?"
+
+"'Ill'?" repeated the man, without looking up. "Worse than that--worse
+than that."
+
+"Is there anything that I can do for you?" asked George. "You seem to be
+in great trouble."
+
+As these words fell upon his ear the man straightened up, and, gazing at
+George with a pair of wild-looking eyes, said, in a voice that was
+rendered husky by some strong emotion,
+
+"I am in trouble, partner, and although I do not think you can help me
+in any way, I feel grateful to you for your sympathy. I have been
+bounced by the hostiles and cleaned out--completely cleaned out."
+
+"That _is_ bad," returned George, who told himself that the man took his
+loss very much to heart. He knew a good many stock-raisers who had been
+"bounced" and "cleaned out," but he had never before seen one who seemed
+to be so utterly broken down by his misfortunes as this one did. The
+stranger's next words, however, explained it all.
+
+"The loss of my ranche and stock I don't mind," said he; "that's
+nothing. But when one sees his two motherless boys carried off by the
+red fiends, while he is powerless to help them, it's pretty rough, it's
+pretty rough."
+
+"Why, this must be the man the colonel told me about last night," said
+George to himself.
+
+"I should not fear that the savages would raise their hands against the
+lives of the boys (they are too young to be put to torture, one being
+eight and the other ten years of age) if it were not for one thing,"
+continued the bereaved father, jumping to his feet and pacing back and
+forth like a caged tiger. "I made a hard fight of it, and dropped a
+Kiowa for every year of my oldest boy's age. Of course the death of
+those warriors will have to be avenged by their relatives. Perhaps you
+don't know it, but that is Indian law."
+
+"I do know it," interrupted George. "I couldn't have lived so close to
+these raiders, both Indians and Mexicans, nearly all my life without
+learning something about their ways, could I? I am a Texan, like
+yourself."
+
+"You are? I took you for a Yankee soldier."
+
+"There's where you made a mistake," replied George. "I was born in
+Miller county in this State, and I am here to act as guide to the troops
+when they cross the river in pursuit of the cattle-thieves."
+
+"Good! Put it there!" exclaimed the man, extending his hand, while his
+face for the moment showed the pleasure he felt at the meeting. "My name
+is Wentworth; what is yours?"
+
+George told him, and Mr. Wentworth said he had often heard the name, and
+in a roundabout way had learned something of the family history.
+
+"I have heard of you too," said George. "You have often been obliged to
+run in order to save your life and stock, have you not?"
+
+"Yes, and I have always succeeded in getting safely away; but there is a
+first time for everybody, and mine came three days ago. I was going on
+to say that I am afraid the savages will take vengeance on my helpless
+little boys for the braves I shot in the fight," continued Mr.
+Wentworth. "If they don't do that, they will probably hold them for
+ransom; but they might as well tomahawk the boys at once and put them
+out of their misery, for I haven't a horn nor a hoof nor a cent of money
+to give in exchange for them. I know I have seen them for the last time,
+but won't I make it hot for those who stole them?"
+
+George could not say anything comforting. The sight of the strong man's
+overwhelming grief struck him dumb.
+
+"I know some of the bucks who were in the fight," continued Mr.
+Wentworth, grinding his teeth and rubbing his hands nervously together.
+"They have often camped on my ranche when they came down here
+buffalo-hunting. I don't care what treaties our government may make with
+that tribe; there will be eternal war between me and them. No Kiowa
+shall ever cross my trail and live--no, not if I hang for it. I only
+wish that some of those peace commissioners--those lunatics who believe
+that an Indian is a human being and needs only kind treatment to make
+him peaceable and friendly--could stand in my boots this minute. I tell
+you, Ackerman, if one of them were here now I'd stand and see an Indian
+shoot him, and never lift a hand in his defence. I got in last night and
+told the colonel about it, and he said he would send out a couple of
+companies this morning with orders to overtake and punish them if
+possible; but he might as well save his men and horses, for it isn't
+possible. They have reached the Staked Plains by this time, and are safe
+from pursuit. This is a lovely government for a white man to live under,
+isn't it? It is too cowardly to protect us from the Mexicans, and too
+tender-hearted to hang an Indian for murder unless he happens to kill
+some one high in authority, like General Canby."
+
+Mr. Wentworth seemed almost beside himself when he thought of his boys,
+who were now so many miles away from him, for then it was that he
+realized how powerless he was to help them. He went on in this strain
+until he had talked himself out of breath, and then he went back to his
+seat on the doorstep and covered his face with his hands.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING.
+
+
+"It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward
+the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his
+children for the last time. In the first place, the chances are that the
+Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go
+out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should
+come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were
+likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they
+could not be rescued. It _is_ a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't
+see that anything can be done about it. I wish Zeke were here to give
+his opinion on the subject."
+
+The troopers, having answered to the names, were going out to bring in
+their horses preparatory to grooming them, and George went with them to
+bring in his own. Nearly an hour was devoted to this important duty,
+which was performed under the watchful eye of an officer, and although
+George often saw his friend Bob, the latter did not speak to him. There
+were a good many shoulder-straps around, and work, and not talk, was the
+order of the day. Even those of the officers who, having no servants,
+were obliged to act as their own grooms, had very little to say to one
+another; but when these same officers were gathered around the
+breakfast-table half an hour later, they were lively and talkative
+enough. There they met on a footing of perfect equality, like the
+members of a private family, although the juniors did not forget to say
+"sir" when addressing their superiors. There were no orders issued
+during the progress of the meal, and in fact very little was said about
+military matters; but still, George heard enough to satisfy him that
+active operations against the thieving Kiowas were to be commenced
+immediately, and that he was to make one of an expedition upon whose
+success a good deal depended.
+
+The appearance of the officers as they passed into the hall after rising
+from the breakfast-table must have been a signal to the bugler who
+stood in front of the door of head-quarters, for as soon as he saw them
+he raised his instrument to his lips and blew a shrill call. The clear,
+ringing notes had scarcely ceased when there was a commotion in the
+barracks, and a crowd of men came pouring out and hurried toward the
+stables. There were a hundred and twenty of them, and they belonged to
+the troops A, E and L--the latter commonly called the "Brindles"--of
+which Captain Clinton's scouting-party was to be composed.
+
+"That's 'Boots and saddles,' George," said the colonel, who stood in the
+doorway appearing to notice nothing, but in reality keeping a close
+watch over the movements of the men to see that everything was done in
+accordance with the "regulations." "You are to go with Clinton, you
+know. Are you ready?"
+
+"I will be in half a minute," replied the boy.
+
+The stirring notes of the bugle, or the prospect of soon meeting face to
+face some of the bloodthirsty savages who had devastated Mr. Wentworth's
+home, must have excited George, so that he did not readily lay his hand
+upon the articles he wanted, for considerably more than half a minute
+elapsed before he again appeared with his Winchester on his back, a bag
+of cartridges slung over his shoulder and a revolver buckled about his
+waist. He ran to the stable, and had just put the saddle and bridle on
+his horse when another call of the bugle was heard. This was "To horse,"
+and in obedience the troopers left the stable and fell into line on the
+parade, each man standing at the head of his nag. George did not belong
+in line--in fact, he did not know where he _did_ belong--so he kept his
+eye on Captain Clinton, and when he saw that officer mount the horse
+which an orderly brought up to him, George at once placed himself in his
+own saddle, and, riding up to the steps where the colonel was standing,
+awaited further developments.
+
+"Prepare to mount!" commanded Captain Clinton as he rode up in front of
+his own troop, and the words were immediately repeated by the other two
+company commanders.
+
+In obedience to this order each trooper placed his left foot in the
+stirrup, and at the command "Mount!" which was given soon after, they
+all rose from the ground as if moved by the same set of springs, and
+seated themselves in the saddles at the same instant. No man was a half
+a second ahead or behind his companions. The three company officers then
+rode back to the colonel to report that their respective companies were
+ready to march, and after they had listened to some verbal instructions
+from him, they bade him and the rest of the officers good-bye, the bugle
+sounded the "Advance," and the troopers, moving four abreast--or, as a
+soldier would have expressed it, in column of fours--rode out of the
+gate. There they found Wentworth seated on a wiry little mustang, which
+looked altogether too small to carry so heavy a rider. Recognizing
+George, who rode by Captain Clinton's side, he gave him a friendly nod,
+and without saying a word turned his horse and rode away, the troopers
+following a short distance in his rear.
+
+When soldiers are on the march and in no danger of immediate contact
+with the enemy, they are allowed numerous privileges, of which the
+troopers composing this particular scouting-party were not slow to avail
+themselves. Some of them drew their pipes from their pockets and filled
+up for a smoke, others threw one leg over the horns of their saddles and
+rode sideways, "woman-fashion," and conversation became general all
+along the line. But this talking and smoking did not interfere with
+their marching, for they rode rapidly, and made such good progress that
+by three o'clock in the afternoon they were within sight of the ruins of
+Mr. Wentworth's ranche. And a sorry sight it was, too. Nothing but a
+pile of blackened sun-dried bricks remained to mark the spot on which a
+few days ago had stood a happy home. Household furniture of every
+description was scattered around, but every article had been smashed
+beyond all hope of repair. What the savages had not been able to carry
+away with them they had ruthlessly destroyed. George did not wonder that
+Mr. Wentworth felt vindictive. The man did not have a word to say, but
+the expression that came to his face as he sat in his saddle gazing
+sorrowfully at the ruins of his home spoke volumes.
+
+When the troopers came within sight of the ranche, George discovered
+that there was a horse staked out near the ruins, and that he had an
+owner in the person of a tall, gaunt man, who rose from the ground and
+rubbed his eyes as if he had just awakened from a sound sleep. His dress
+was an odd mixture of the civilized and savage. He wore a pair of
+infantryman's trousers, a rancheman's red shirt, and an Indian blanket
+of the same color was thrown over his shoulders. His head was covered by
+a Mexican sombrero, and his feet were protected by a pair of
+gaudily-ornamented moccasins. While waiting for the troopers to come up
+he filled a short black pipe and lighted it at the smoldering fire
+beside which he had been sleeping.
+
+"That's Mountain Mose," said Captain Clinton in reply to George's
+inquiring look. "He no doubt gave himself the name because he has lived
+on the Plains all his life. He is a lazy, worthless vagabond, but what
+he doesn't know about Indians isn't worth knowing. If he would only wake
+up and display a little energy, he would be invaluable as a scout."
+
+"What is he doing here?" asked George. "He seems to be waiting for us."
+
+"Yes, I expected to find him at this place. He has been out to take a
+look at the trail of that war-party who did all this damage.--Well,
+Mose, any news?"
+
+"Not much, cap," drawled the scout. "You put straight for the Staked
+Plains, an' if you are lively enough to ketch 'em anywhar, you'll ketch
+'em thar."
+
+"Then we shall never get the cattle," said the captain. "If the Indians
+are going in there, they intend that the stock shall die of thirst
+rather than fall into our hands."
+
+"That's jest their little game, cap," said the scout, puffing at his
+pipe. "You see, they'll keep along on the edge of the desert, so't they
+can have grass an' water in plenty, an' if you don't pester 'em none
+they won't go into the Staked Plains at all; but if you push 'em hard
+they'll run the critters in thar an' leave 'em, hopin' that you will run
+your hosses an' men to death while you are huntin' 'em up. You won't
+never see the young ones, nuther; an' I don't see why the colonel sent
+out sich a party as this so late in the day, anyhow. We'd oughter been a
+hundred miles along that thar trail by sun-up this mornin'."
+
+George felt the deepest sympathy for Mr. Wentworth, who listened
+attentively to what the scout had to say, although he said nothing in
+return. His almost overwhelming sorrow showed itself in his face, but
+did not take the form of words.
+
+As Captain Clinton had made no halt for dinner, the colonel having
+instructed him to find and receive the report of the scout as soon as
+possible, he decided to stop here and allow his men an hour or two for
+rest and refreshment. Giving their horses into the charge of some of the
+troopers, he and his two company commanders walked away with the scout,
+while George rode off to hunt up Bob Owens. He staked his own horse out
+beside Bob's, and then walked back with him to take a nearer view of the
+ruins.
+
+"How do you suppose that that man in the sombrero and moccasins knows
+that the Indians who did this have fled toward the Staked Plains?" asked
+Bob after he and his friend had spent some moments in silent
+contemplation of the savages' handiwork. "He certainly hasn't had time
+enough to follow the trail clear to those plains."
+
+"Of course not," answered George. "But he probably followed it far
+enough to see that it leads in that direction."
+
+"Well, explain another thing while you are about it," continued Bob. "I
+have been out on a scout before now after the hostiles, following a
+trail that was as plain as the nose on one's face, when all at once the
+scout would leave that trail and strike off over the prairie where
+there wasn't a sign of a pony-track."
+
+"He was taking a short cut on the Indians," observed George.
+
+"I know that, and sooner or later he would bring us back to that trail
+again; and sometimes we would have gained so much on the hostiles--who
+had perhaps been twenty-four hours' journey ahead of us when we left the
+trail--that we would find their camp-fires still smoking. Now, what I
+want to know is this: How did that scout know that those Indians were
+going to that particular spring or creek or ravine near which we found
+the trail?"
+
+"Have you ever hunted foxes?" asked George.
+
+"I should say I had. When I left home I owned a hound that couldn't be
+beaten in running them, for he was posted in all their tricks. But what
+have foxes to do with hostile Indians?"
+
+"I am simply going to use the tricks of the one, which you understand,
+to explain the tricks of the other, which you do not understand,"
+replied George. "They are a good deal alike in some respects. A fox,
+when he finds himself hard pressed, will resort to all sorts of
+manoeuvres to throw the hounds off the trail. One of his tricks is to
+run over a newly-ploughed field, if he can find one, where the scent
+will not lie. What would that brag hound of yours do in such a case?
+Would he waste valuable time in running about over that field trying to
+pick up a scent that wasn't there?"
+
+"No, he wouldn't. He would run around the outside of the field until he
+found the place where the fox left it."
+
+"Exactly. Now, an Indian is just as full of tricks as a fox is. When he
+is afraid of pursuit he will break his party up into small bands, and,
+although the trails made by these bands will lead in different
+directions at the start, you will find, if you break up your own party
+and follow them for a while, that they all tend toward the same points,
+where these little bands will all be reunited. Of course each of the
+trails will be obliterated as much as possible. Some of them will lead
+over rocky ground, where the hoof of a pony will leave no imprint;
+others will come to an abrupt termination on the bank of some stream;
+and others still will end at a place where the prairie has been burned
+over. When these war-parties break up in the way I have described, a
+place of meeting is always agreed on beforehand; and if a scout
+understands his business he can tell pretty nearly where that place is,
+for it is sure to be on the straightest and most direct route to the
+agency if the raiders belong to a 'friendly' tribe, or to their
+principal village if they belong to a tribe that is openly hostile. If
+these Kiowas take to the Staked Plains, they will probably enter it
+directly north of here, at its widest part. Then this Mountain Mose, if
+he is the scout he pretends to be, will leave their trail to take care
+of itself and draw a bee-line for the nearest water; and it will take
+thirty hours' rapid marching to reach it, too."
+
+"How do you know? Have you ever been there?"
+
+"No, but my herdsman Zeke has; and he has described the course to be
+followed so minutely that I can go there any day the sun shines or any
+night when the stars shine."
+
+Bob did not say anything, but his friend noticed that he looked a little
+incredulous.
+
+"It is not so difficult as it appears to be at first glance," George
+hastened to say. "Why, when a party of young Indians want to go into a
+strange country for plunder and scalps, they gather around some old
+warrior, who traces on the ground the direction in which they must
+travel in order to reach that country, describes all the water-courses
+and locates the principal landmarks to be found along the route; and
+with nothing but these verbal instructions to guide them, these little
+rascals, some of them not more than thirteen or fourteen years of age,
+will make a journey of hundreds of miles through a region that none of
+them have ever visited before. My bump of locality is not so large as an
+Indian's, but still I have a pretty good memory, and I have travelled
+many a mile through a strange country without going a step out of my
+way."
+
+"What sort of a looking place is Staked Plains, anyhow?" asked Bob. "I
+have heard so many terrible stories told about it that I am almost
+afraid of it. What gave it that name? Are there any _stakes_ there?"
+
+Bob was inclined to be facetious when he said this, and consequently he
+was not a little astonished to hear George say in reply,
+
+"There may not be any stakes there now, but there used to be. It _is_ a
+terrible place, and many a wagon-train has left its bones there. It is
+big enough to get lost in, for it lacks only about six thousand
+square-miles of being as large as the State of New York; and although it
+is not exactly a desert, as we understand the word, it is a barren
+waste, where nothing living permanently resides on account of the great
+scarcity of water. A long time ago the Mexican traders marked out a
+route with stakes across the plain where they found a few small
+fountains, and that was what gave it the name it bears. Zeke says it is
+a perfect bake-oven. There are no trees to shelter you, no grass for
+your horses, no fuel to build a fire with, and an almost unearthly
+silence broods over it. I am not superstitious, but Zeke always speaks
+of it with a shudder, and I tell you I don't want to see any place that
+he is afraid of."
+
+The two friends continued to talk in this way until Captain Clinton's
+cook came up and told George that dinner was ready. They rested half an
+hour after the meal was over, and then set out again, Mountain Mose
+leading the way and Mr. Wentworth, as before, riding by himself. As
+George was a sort of supernumerary, he was under little restraint, and
+consequently he rode where he pleased--sometimes in company with the
+scout, sometimes beside Captain Clinton, and then fell back to exchange
+a few ideas with Bob. He did not, however, waste much time with the
+scout. The latter was talkative enough until he learned that George held
+the same position that he did, and then he froze up at once.
+
+"You're a pretty-looking scout, _you_ be!" he exclaimed, moving his eye
+over the boy's trim figure. "Do you reckon you could tell the trail of a
+Kiowa from the track of a coyote?"
+
+"Yes, I reckon I could," answered George with a smile. "But you need not
+be jealous of me, for I shall not interfere with you in any way. I came
+to the post to hunt Greasers, and not to trail Indians."
+
+"Oh, you did, eh? So you're the chap that's goin' to show the boys the
+way acrost the Rio, be you?"
+
+"I am," replied George.
+
+"Well, all I've got to say is, that them that follers you is fools. I
+thought mebbe you was agoin' to poke your nose into my business; and
+that is something I won't put up with from nobody. If thar's anything I
+_do_ understand, it's Indians."
+
+This was true, but it sometimes happens that luck is not on the side of
+those who know the most. The scout would have given anything he
+possessed if he had been fortunate enough to perform the exploit that
+George assisted in performing before two days more had passed over his
+head.
+
+Bob Owens did not fail to notice that there was not the least semblance
+of a trail to be seen anywhere. They had left it at the ruins of Mr.
+Wentworth's rancho, and he waited with no little impatience to see where
+they would pick it up again. He found out about sunset, for at that time
+the column reached the banks of a small water-course, and there they
+struck the trail, which was so broad and plain that it could be followed
+at a gallop. George, in company with some of the officers and the scout,
+spent a few minutes in looking it over, and then rode back to report the
+result of his observations to Bob Owens.
+
+"There are not many warriors in the party," said he, "but they are so
+well supplied with horses that they can have a fresh mount every day if
+they want it."
+
+"How do you know that?" asked Bob.
+
+"Because I saw their tracks," replied George.
+
+"That's not explicit enough. I suppose you did see the tracks of the
+horses, and so did I; but how in the world is a fellow going to tell
+whether or not those horses had riders on their backs? _That's_
+something that can't be done."
+
+"Don't be too sure of that. Look here! Would you believe it if I should
+tell you that those Indians passed along here after daylight on Thursday
+morning?"
+
+"No, I wouldn't," replied Bob bluntly. He could not, for the life of
+him, understand how anybody could draw such conclusions as these by
+simply looking at the print of a pony's hoofs in the grass; and if he
+had not been so well acquainted with George he would have inclined to
+the belief that his friend was "spreading it on" in order to make
+himself out a wonderful trailer. "I can't make head or tail of this
+business, and I don't believe you can, either; that is, I mean I don't
+see how you can."
+
+"Well, listen while I explain," said George good-naturedly. "In the
+first place, I noticed, while we were passing through that belt of
+post-oaks back there, that some of the horses left a very devious
+trail, passing through thick bushes and under trees whose branches were
+so low that they would have swept a rider out of his saddle if he had
+not been on the alert to avoid them. Those horses were all loose."
+
+"Perhaps not," exclaimed Bob. "The Indians might have passed through
+there when it was too dark to see where they were going."
+
+"I know they might, but they didn't, as I shall presently show you. The
+horses which made those crooked trails were not mustangs. They were
+American horses, and their presence proves another thing that I didn't
+think to speak of before; and that is, that the Indians raided other
+ranches besides Mr. Wentworth's. How do I know that they were American
+horses? Because their tracks were larger than a pony's, and some of them
+were shod. The tracks made by the mustangs led through the open part of
+the timber, where there were no bushes and low branches; and this is one
+proof that the Indians did not pass through there in the night-time. If
+they had, they could not have kept in such open ground. I found further
+proof that these mustangs were all mounted by noticing that they did not
+stop to graze, as the loose horses did, being kept in constant motion
+by their riders. What do you think now?" asked George, seeing that Bob
+began to open his eyes.
+
+"It reads like a book, don't it?" was Bob's reply. "But you have
+forgotten one very important thing. You said that the Indians passed
+through those post-oaks early on Thursday morning. How do you know that
+they didn't pass late on Thursday afternoon or early on Friday morning?"
+
+"You think you have got me there, don't you? Well, you haven't. If there
+are 'sermons in stones and books in running brooks,' as the poet tells
+us there are, what is the reason that the print of an Indian pony's hoof
+may not contain a page of information that will prove to be useful to
+him who has the skill to read it? On Wednesday night there was a very
+heavy dew, if you remember."
+
+"I don't remember," replied Bob; "I never pay any attention to such
+things."
+
+"But you must pay attention to such things, and a good deal of it too,
+if you are going to be a Plainsman. During the last two nights there has
+been no dew at all. I noticed that some blades of grass, which had been
+pressed down by the hoofs of the horses and cattle, were covered with
+sand which stuck fast to them, having been dried on. This told me that
+the tracks were made while the grass was wet, and that the Indians had
+passed that way early on Thursday morning, or before the sun had risen
+high enough to dry off the dew. There were not more than fifteen or
+twenty of them. I didn't have time to see just how many, but they have
+stolen over a thousand head of steers and horses. Now, remember all I
+have told you, and see if I haven't made a pretty good guess."
+
+"Do you think we shall catch them?" asked Bob.
+
+"Well," answered George slowly, "raiding Indians _have_ been overtaken
+and neatly whipped before now, but I have always believed that it was
+more by good luck than good management. These fellows will begin to show
+their tactics as soon as they find out that they are pursued. Then they
+will probably leave behind a few of the best mounted of the band to
+attract our attention and lead us away from the others, who will make
+all haste to take the prisoners and the stolon stock to a place of
+safety. If we bite at that bait, we shall lose everything, for as soon
+as the decoys have led us as far out of our way as they care to have us
+go, they will disappear all of a sudden, and we shall never see them
+again. If we keep on after the main body, and travel fast enough to gain
+on them, they will drop the stock in the desert, break up into squads of
+twos and threes, and we shall have nothing to do but to turn about and
+go home again."
+
+The Indians did manoeuvre pretty nearly as George said they would, but
+Captain Clinton and his scouting-party did not go back to the fort until
+they had accomplished something.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+HOW GEORGE SAVED THE CAMP.
+
+
+The troopers went into camp about midnight, having been nineteen hours
+in the saddle, during which time they had marched more than seventy
+miles. They halted on the bank of a small stream near a ford over which
+the Indians had passed during their retreat. The trail was plain, and
+some of the troopers, who did not know quite as much about trailing as
+they thought they did, declared that they were close upon the heels of
+the raiders.
+
+"How is that, George?" asked Bob Owens, who had been detailed as one of
+the corporals of the guard. "Some of the boys say that if we should
+follow the Indians for an hour or two longer we would be within sight of
+their camp-fires."
+
+"What makes them think so?" asked George.
+
+"Because they have found tracks with the sand still running into them.
+Is that one of the signs by which to tell the age of a trail?"
+
+"Under some circumstances, yes; in the present case, no. You could tell
+the age of a trail in that way if the ground around it had not been
+disturbed. This country about here is all quicksand, and you can take
+your stand almost anywhere along the banks of this stream, and by
+jumping up and down shake the ground for ten feet on all sides of you.
+When our heavy column crossed the ford and climbed this bank, it shook
+the earth, and that was what set the sand to running down into the
+tracks."
+
+"I declare!" exclaimed Bob, gazing admiringly at his friend; "is there
+anything a trailer isn't obliged to know?"
+
+"If he wants to be an expert he must keep his eyes and ears wide open,
+and pay strict attention to little things which almost anybody else
+would consider to be beneath his notice. It is wonderful what
+proficiency a person who has a talent for such things can acquire by
+practice. For example, this scout of ours could learn more about a trail
+in two minutes than I could in an hour. But he is fearfully jealous,"
+added George with a laugh, "and you ought to have seen how mad I made
+him while we were passing through that belt of post-oaks this afternoon.
+Seeing that Captain Clinton was waiting very impatiently for
+information, I volunteered the statement that the hostiles had passed
+that way early on Thursday morning, and that Mr. Wentworth was not the
+only one who had suffered at their hands. The captain asked Mose what he
+thought of that, and Mose replied, 'I think jest this here, cap: if that
+kid is agoin' to lead this yere party he had better say so, an' I will
+go back to the post. He's a'most too fresh, an' he'd better go back in
+the woods an' practise at holdin' his chin.' But he did not contradict
+my statement, and that was all the evidence I needed to prove that I was
+right in what I said. The tracks here on the bank are not as fresh as
+you suppose. If they were wet, it would be a sign that the Indians
+crossed the ford since three o'clock this afternoon."
+
+"Why since three o'clock?" asked Bob.
+
+"Because the sun went under a cloud at that hour, and hasn't showed
+himself since to dry off the water that the horses and cattle brought
+out of the stream on their feet and legs."
+
+While the two boys were talking in this way George was getting ready to
+go to bed. The camp was located at the foot of a perpendicular bluff
+which was perhaps twenty feet in height. On the top of this bluff the
+horses were picketed, and beyond them were the sentinels who were to
+look out for the safety of the animals and keep guard over their
+slumbering companions. Everything outside of the circle of light made by
+the camp-fires was concealed by the most intense darkness. Not even a
+star twinkled in the sky. George spread his blankets in a sheltered nook
+at the foot of the bluff and courted the "drowsy god" in vain. He was
+tired and his eyes were heavy, but he could not go to sleep. After
+rolling and tossing about for nearly two hours, he became too nervous to
+remain inactive any longer, so he slung his rifle on his back and
+climbed to the top of the bluff, where he found Bob Owens and two other
+non-commissioned officers sitting beside a fire and conversing in low
+tones. At another fire a short distance away sat Lieutenant Earle, the
+officer of the guard, nodding over his pipe.
+
+"Hallo!" exclaimed Bob, "what brought you out here?"
+
+"Oh, I want somebody to talk to," replied George, throwing himself on
+the ground by his friend's side, "Somehow, I can't sleep, and that's a
+new thing for me."
+
+"You are not afraid of the hostiles, are you?" asked a corporal from the
+other side of the fire.
+
+"Oh no, because I know that we have nothing to fear from them on such a
+night as this. If there were any hostiles in the neighborhood, they
+might slip up and steal a few horses, if they thought they could get
+away with their booty, but they wouldn't attack a party of the size of
+ours and bring on an open fight. It is too dark."
+
+"Why, that is just the reason they _would_ attack us," exclaimed the
+corporal, who, although he had often been on a scout, had never
+participated in a battle. "They rely upon the darkness to cover their
+movements and to assist them in effecting a surprise. I have read it a
+hundred times."
+
+"Ah, yes," replied George--"story-book Indians make attacks at all hours
+of the day and night, but live Plains Indians don't. The reason for it
+is this: They believe that they will go into the happy hunting-grounds
+with just the same surroundings that attend their departure from this
+world. If an Indian is crippled or blind or ill, he will be just the
+same Indian in the spirit-land. If he dies from the effects of disease,
+he will suffer from that disease for ever; but if he is killed in battle
+on a pleasant day, and while he is in the possession of all his strength
+and faculties, he will go straight to the Indian's heaven under the most
+favorable circumstances."
+
+"Suppose he is killed on a rainy day?" said the corporal on the other
+side of the fire.
+
+"Or a snowy one?" chimed in a sergeant.
+
+"Then he is doomed to paddle through rain or snow through all eternity,"
+replied George; "and that he doesn't like either is proved by the fact
+that he will not stir out of camp while it is raining or snowing if he
+can help it. If an Indian is hanged, like Captain Jack or those
+thirty-seven warriors who were executed at Mankato in 1863 for
+participation in the Sioux massacre, he loses all chance of ever seeing
+the happy hunting-grounds. So he does if he is scalped; and that's the
+reason Indians make such efforts to carry off the body of a fallen
+comrade. A Plains Indian never willingly goes into a fight during the
+night. If he did, he would make it much warmer for us here on the
+frontier than he does now. He may make use of a night like this to get
+into position for an attack, but if left to himself he will not raise
+the war-whoop before daylight, because he believes that if he is killed
+during the dark he will be condemned to pass all eternity in darkness."
+
+"Well, that is something I never knew before," said the corporal, "and I
+have been on the Plains a good many years. Now that I think of it--"
+
+"Corporal of the guard, No. 7!" came the call through the dense
+darkness, whereupon Bob Owens jumped to his feet.
+
+"What's the trouble out there, I wonder?" said he.
+
+"Go and see," replied the sergeant with a sleepy yawn: "that's the only
+way to find out."
+
+"Sergeant," said the officer of the guard, "if those horses have had
+grass enough, have them brought in and tied to the stable-lines. Look
+well to their fastenings."
+
+"Corporal of the guard, No. 7!" came the call again; and this time it
+was uttered in a louder and more earnest tone.
+
+Bob, who was walking toward post No. 7 with a very deliberate step, now
+broke into a run, and George jumped up and followed him. A fortunate
+thing it was for that camp and its inmates that he did so. His thorough
+acquaintance with the ways of some of the inhabitants of the Plains
+enabled him to prevent a catastrophe which would certainly have resulted
+in a serious loss of life, and brought Captain Clinton's scout to an
+inglorious end then and there. When he and the corporal reached post No.
+7 they found the sentry on duty there lying flat on his stomach and
+gazing earnestly toward the horizon.
+
+"What's the matter, Sprague?" demanded Bob.
+
+"I don't know, I am sure," replied the sentry. "If the hostiles had made
+up their minds to pay us a visit, they wouldn't make such a racket as
+that, would they? There! don't you hear it? Something's coming this way,
+I tell you, and coming on a keen jump, too."
+
+The three held their breath and listened intently. A second later the
+breeze brought to their ears the sound that had attracted the attention
+of the sentry--a deep, rumbling sound, faint and far off, but increasing
+perceptibly in volume. It resembled the constant muttering of distant
+thunder, but they all knew it was not that. Bob's face brightened at
+once, but George's grew pale. The corporal did not know the danger that
+threatened them, but his companion did; he had heard something like it
+before. He had heard it on the night that Fletcher and his band of
+raiders stampeded his stock, and he had thrown himself into an old
+buffalo-wallow and allowed three hundred frantic cattle to gallop over
+his head.
+
+"Why, it must be cavalry from Fort Tyler," said Bob at length.--"But
+I'll tell you what's a fact, boys," he added, as a fresh gust of wind
+brought the sound more plainly to his ears: "there must be lots of them,
+for I never heard such a roar of hoofs before. They are coming this way,
+too. I hope they'll not run over us."
+
+"Well, they _will_ run over us," said George, speaking quickly but
+calmly, "unless you take immediate steps to prevent it. They are not
+cavalry; they are buffaloes."
+
+"Oh! ah!" exclaimed Bob.
+
+"Humph!" ejaculated the sentry, jumping to his feet.--"Don't tell the
+boys what I called you out for, will you, corporal? To tell the truth, I
+was just a little bit--"
+
+He finished the sentence by shrugging his shoulders, and Bob, who knew
+what he meant by that, was about to assure him that he would say nothing
+in the hearing of the "boys" that would enable them to "get the laugh"
+on him, when George Ackerman broke in with--
+
+"You had good reason to be alarmed, and this is not a matter to be
+dropped with an 'ah!' and an 'oh!' and a 'humph!' You are in great
+danger, if you only knew it. Those buffaloes are stampeded, and will not
+stop until they are all out of breath."
+
+"Well, if they don't want to stop, let them run," said Bob. "Who cares?
+They don't owe us anything. They will of course turn aside when they see
+us."
+
+"But they will not see you unless you do something to attract their
+attention," exclaimed George impatiently. "They will be in among us in
+five minutes more, and men and horses will be trampled into the ground
+like blades of grass. Wake up and do something, can't you? The safety of
+the camp depends upon you, and if you don't move, I will."
+
+"Great Moses!" ejaculated Bob. He was thoroughly aroused by the earnest
+words of his companion, but having never been placed in a situation
+like this before, he did not know how to act. "You don't mean that--I
+never heard of--"
+
+"Yes, I do mean that they will trample the whole camp to death unless
+you prevent it; and I don't care whether you ever heard of such a thing
+being done or not," cried George, seizing the corporal by the arm and
+shaking him as if he wanted to put a little energy into him.
+
+"But what shall I do? Shall I order up the reserve and get the horses
+out of the way?"
+
+"You haven't got time to get them out of the way. The buffaloes will be
+upon us before you could take half a dozen of them to a place of safety.
+Arouse the camp the first thing, and then call up a few good men to go
+out and split the herd the moment it comes in sight."
+
+Bob, who was still in the dark, was about to ask how he should go to
+work to "split" the herd after he had selected the men, but George did
+not give him the opportunity. The rumbling of the approaching hoofs grew
+louder and louder, and every moment was precious. It sounded before them
+and to the right and left of them, indicating that the herd was an
+immense one, and that it was advancing with a front broad enough to
+overwhelm the entire camp. Knowing that no more time could be wasted in
+debating the matter, George unslung his Winchester and fired two shots
+into the air. The effect was almost magical. The camp, which had been so
+quiet a second before, was aroused into instant life and activity. Loud
+cries of "Indians!" and "Fall in!" arose on the still air, followed by
+blasts from the bugle and stern notes of command. The officer of the
+guard was promptly on the ground, and to him Bob reported that a herd of
+stampeded buffaloes was bearing down upon them. The announcement
+startled the lieutenant, but he acted with the greatest coolness. As
+fast as the men came up he ordered them back to take care of the
+horses--all except a dozen or so of the best soldiers known to him, whom
+he ordered to follow him. By the time he had taken up his position,
+which was on a little rise of ground about fifty yards from post No. 7,
+Captain Clinton came up. Taking in at a glance the arrangements which
+his subordinate had made to avert the terrible danger that threatened
+the camp, he left him and his picked men to carry out those arrangements
+or perish in the attempt, while he hastened back to see that the horses
+were well secured.
+
+"Steady!" commanded Lieutenant Earle, speaking in his loudest tones, in
+order to make his voice heard above the roar of the threatening hoofs,
+which sounded like the noise made by an approaching hurricane. "We are
+here to conquer or die. If we don't split that herd they will trample us
+out of sight in the ground. We can do it if we are only cool enough to
+hold our position. Don't fire until I give the word, and then put in the
+shots as rapidly as you know how."
+
+Bob's hair fairly stood on end, and not even the calm bearing of George
+Ackerman, who was constantly by his side and who knew their danger
+better than he did, or the lieutenant's assurance that the herd could be
+split if they did their full duty, could relieve Bob's mind of the
+positive conviction that he and his comrades were doomed to certain and
+speedy death. But his courage never faltered, and to show that he did
+not intend to allow himself to be outdone in steadiness even by a
+shoulder-strap, he walked up and kneeling beside his officer (the men in
+the front rank were all kneeling, so that those in the rear rank could
+shoot over their heads) waited for the order to fire.
+
+Nearer came the terror-stricken buffaloes, louder grew the thunder of
+their hoofs, and, as if to add to the horror of the situation and to
+test the courage of the lieutenant and his devoted little band to the
+very utmost, the horses behind them began to grow unmanageable from
+fright and to struggle desperately to escape from their fastenings.
+
+At length, after a few moments of dreadful suspense, the time for action
+arrived. A rapidly-moving mass, which was plainly visible, owing to the
+fact that it was blacker than the darkness of the night, burst into view
+and bore down upon the camp and its little band of defenders. So loud
+was the noise made by their hoofs at this moment that the troopers did
+not hear the order to fire, which the lieutenant shouted out with all
+the power of his lungs; but they saw the flash of his revolver, and lost
+no time in opening a hot fire upon that portion of the herd which was
+directly in front of them. To Bob it seemed that the rapid discharges of
+their breech-loaders had no effect whatever. The black mass before him
+was as black and as dense, apparently, as it was when he first saw it,
+but, strange to say, instead of plunging upon him and his companions and
+trampling them out of all semblance to humanity, it seemed to remain
+stationary, although the deafening roar of those countless hoofs told
+him that the frantic herd had not in the least slackened its pace. In
+fact, his eyes and ears seemed to have suddenly become at "outs," for
+they did not endorse each other as they usually did. His eyes told him
+that his carbine was fired rapidly, for they showed him the flashes that
+followed the pulling of the trigger; but his ears took no note of the
+fact, for he could not hear the faintest report. The reason for this
+was, that the herd, having been split in two by the first volley, was
+moving by on each side of them with a roar and a rush that would have
+drowned the discharge of a section of artillery.
+
+How long the buffaloes were in passing Bob never knew, for he took no
+note of time. It was probably not more than two or three minutes, but
+during that brief period he passed through an ordeal that he never could
+think of afterward without feeling the cold chills creep all over him.
+But he did not flinch, and neither did his companions. When the last of
+the buffaloes passed to the right and left of them, and the lieutenant
+jumped up and stretched his arms and legs as if to assure himself that
+he had not been stepped on anywhere, he found that not one of his men
+had moved from his place. The front rank was still kneeling, the rear
+rank was standing, and they were both as well aligned as they were
+before the firing commenced.
+
+After ordering the front rank to rise, and bestowing upon them all a few
+hearty words of commendation, the lieutenant marched his men back to the
+camp, where they found some of their companions under arms, and the rest
+engaged in bringing in the horses and making them fast to the
+stable-lines. The animals were in such a state of alarm, and showed so
+strong a desire to run off with the retreating buffaloes, that Captain
+Clinton thought it advisable to put a strong guard over them for the
+rest of the night, with instructions to examine their fastenings every
+few minutes. When this guard had been detailed and the sentries had been
+changed, the rest of the troopers went back to their blankets.
+
+Bob and George were proud of the part they had acted in saving the camp
+from destruction, and consequently when they spread their blankets
+beside one of the fires they were somewhat provoked to hear the man who
+was piling fresh fuel upon it attribute their narrow escape to "luck."
+But still there was nothing very surprising in this, for it not
+infrequently happens that a soldier stationed in one end of a camp does
+not know what is going on in the other end of it, especially in times of
+excitement. The same thing happens in a fight. A soldier may be able to
+give a clear statement of the part his company took in it, but he knows
+nothing of the general plan of the battle or of the number of the
+killed, wounded, captured or missing, until he has had time to talk the
+matter over with his comrades or to read a published account of it.
+During the war it was a common saying among the soldiers in the field
+that they never knew anything about the fights they had been in until
+they saw the papers.
+
+"I have been on the Plains nearly three years," said the trooper who was
+punching up the fire, "and that was the first time I ever saw a herd of
+stampeded buffaloes."
+
+"I never saw one," said another trooper. "I heard this one, but my horse
+kept me so busy that I couldn't take time to look at it."
+
+"I had a fair view of it," said the one who had first spoken. "My horse
+was quiet enough after I got the bit between his teeth, so that I could
+manage him, and I stood up there by that farther fire and took it all
+in. I tell you, it was a sight!--a regular cataract of buffaloes a
+hundred feet wide, tumbling over a bank twenty feet high. I have always
+heard that when buffaloes become frightened and get to running they turn
+aside for nothing; but this night's experience gives the lie to all such
+stories, don't it? When they saw our camp they turned to the right and
+left, and crossed the stream above and below us, and never did us the
+least damage. Luck was on our side, wasn't it?"
+
+"'Luck'!" repeated Bob in a tone of disgust; "I guess not. There were
+about a dozen men, of whom George Ackerman and I made two, who stood
+between you fellows and certain death. If we hadn't held our ground as
+if we had grown there, there wouldn't have been one of you left to tell
+the story of this night's work."
+
+The troopers lying about the fire were greatly astonished at these
+words, and called for an immediate explanation. Bob told the story in a
+few words, adding, as he directed the attention of his auditors to
+George Ackerman, who was lying at his ease on his blanket,
+
+"There's the fellow you have to thank for your 'luck.' Sprague heard
+them coming, and so did I after he called me out to his post, but we
+didn't know what it was until Ackerman told us. He was the one who
+alarmed the camp. I know I did something toward splitting that herd, for
+I could see the fire come out of my carbine and my cartridge-box is
+empty, but I never heard a report. I didn't hear anything but the
+thunder of those hoofs, and I shall hear it to my dying day."
+
+"I wonder what started them?" said one of the troopers, after he and his
+companions had asked a few questions concerning the behavior of the
+various members of the squad. "Indians?"
+
+"Probably they did," answered a sergeant, who just then came up to the
+fire to light his pipe, being unable to go to sleep until he had taken a
+smoke to quiet his nerves.
+
+"Probably the Indians had nothing to do with it," said George. "Don't
+you know that a herd of buffaloes will feed within a mile or two of an
+Indian camp for days at a time, while half a dozen white men would scare
+them out of the country in less than an hour? Well, it's a fact."
+
+"What is the reason for it?" asked Bob.
+
+"The reason is to be found in the different modes of hunting them. The
+Indian, who depends largely upon them for food and clothing, kills no
+more of them during a run than the squaws can take care of. He hunts
+them almost altogether with the bow and arrow, which are not only very
+effective weapons at short range, but they make no noise to scare away
+the game. He hunts according to long-established rules, none but the
+best men in the tribe being permitted to take part in a run, and in this
+way the game is secured before the buffaloes get frightened enough to
+break into a stampede. The white man, who hunts principally for profit,
+keeps up the killing as long as he can hold the herd within range of his
+gun. He follows them persistently during the daytime, and at night lies
+in wait to shoot them as they come to the streams to quench their
+thirst. A buffalo is a very stupid animal, but, after all, it doesn't
+take him long to get some things through his head."
+
+"Fresh, purty _fresh_!" murmured a voice.
+
+George looked over his shoulders and saw the scout lying close by on his
+blanket. He had come up to the fire and arranged his bed without
+attracting the attention of any one.
+
+"Do you think there is nobody in this party who knows anything except
+yourself?" demanded George.
+
+"Well, no; judgin' by the way you sling your chin, you know it all,"
+replied the scout.
+
+"What do you suppose first put this herd in motion?" asked one of the
+troopers, who had not yet gained all the information he wanted.
+
+"That's a question that nobody can answer unless he was on the ground
+and saw them start," answered George.--"You'll not dispute that, will
+you, Mose?--Our Texas cattle will often get stampeded by the sight of a
+little cloud of dust that is suddenly raised by the wind; or some night
+a careless herdsman may step between them and the fire and throw his
+shadow upon them; or some of the young and foolish members of a drove
+will fall to skylarking, and that will frighten the others, and the
+first thing you know they are all off like the wind. Buffaloes have just
+as little sense. My herdsman has told me that he has seen hundreds of
+them, when they were suffering for water, walk into a stream that was
+literally choked with the bodies of their companions who had been caught
+in the quicksand."
+
+"Say," growled a drowsy trooper from his blanket, "suppose you boys go
+somewhere and hire a hall?"
+
+George laughed, and, taking the hint thus delicately thrown out, brought
+his lecture on buffaloes to a close. The remembrance of the thrilling
+scene through which he had just passed did not keep him awake. On the
+contrary, sleep came to his eyes almost immediately, and the last sound
+he heard as he was about to pass into the land of dreams was the subdued
+voice of the scout murmuring, "Fresh, very fresh!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKES.
+
+
+The camp was aroused at an early hour the next morning, and by the time
+it was fairly daylight breakfast had been disposed of and the column was
+again in motion. The firing-squad had brought down a goodly number of
+buffaloes in their efforts to split the herd--enough to furnish the
+whole camp with a hearty meal and to enable each trooper to carry two
+days' cooked rations in his haversack. During the first few miles of
+their march there was no trail for them to follow, all traces of the
+thieving Kiowas having been obliterated by the hoofs of the stampeded
+buffaloes; but this did not interfere with the movements of the scout,
+who, from the start, led the way at a rapid pace. He knew the general
+direction in which the trail led, and that was enough for him.
+
+"Where do you think we shall pick it up again?" asked Captain Clinton
+of George, who rode by his side.
+
+"Do you see that butte?" asked George in reply, directing the officer's
+attention to a single high peak in the distance, which marked the
+south-eastern boundary of the dreaded Staked Plains. "We shall not see
+another drop of water until we reach that mountain, and we shall find
+some traces of the Indians there, if we do not find them before."
+
+"Purty fresh!" exclaimed the scout, who had overheard every word of this
+conversation.
+
+"Well, if you know better, why don't you say so?" demanded George.
+"Every prediction I have made so far has turned out to be correct. Now,
+see how far I miss it when I tell you that the Indians camped beside
+that butte last night."
+
+"Then we are gaining on them?" said the captain.
+
+"We are," was the boy's confident reply. "And for the reason that we
+have followed a direct course and ridden rapidly, while the Indians took
+a roundabout way and moved slowly, being hampered by their stolen
+cattle."
+
+George's calculations proved to be correct. About three o'clock in the
+afternoon they again took up the trail, and followed it at a gallop.
+They reached the peak just before dark, and found abundant evidence that
+the Indians had recently camped there. The troopers halted here too to
+get a little rest and a wink of sleep, but at nine o'clock they were
+once more on the move. The next halt was made about two in the morning,
+and at daylight they were again in their saddles and riding ahead as
+rapidly as ever. The trail led them along the borders of the Staked
+Plains, giving some of the troopers, who had never before scouted so far
+in this direction, their first view of that desolate region. A
+gloomy-looking place it was. As far as their eyes could reach they could
+see nothing but sandhills, with stunted weeds and clumps of grass which
+seemed to be struggling hard to maintain a foothold in the arid soil.
+
+They had marched perhaps ten miles from their last camp when George
+Ackerman, who was riding by Captain Clinton's side, discovered
+something. He looked at it for a moment, and then called the officer's
+attention to it.
+
+"They have begun their tricks at last," said he. "Do you see that dark
+streak out there in the grass? That's a new trail. There! Mose has
+discovered it, and is going out to see what it looks like."
+
+Bringing the column to a halt, the captain, accompanied by George and
+some of the officers, rode forward to the place where the scout, who had
+got down from his horse, stood bending over the trail. After he had
+taken plenty of time in which to make his investigations, he
+straightened up to announce the result.
+
+"Four of them varmints has gone this way, cap," said he. "They've left a
+plain trail, on purpose to coax you to foller 'em."
+
+"They shall be gratified," answered the captain promptly. "As my party
+is larger than theirs, I can stand more divisions than they can. I would
+as soon whip them in detail as to whip them in a lump.--Earle, take a
+dozen men from your troop and follow it up."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied the lieutenant.
+
+"Have you brought your signal-code with you? All right! If you discover
+anything startling, send a courier to me with the fullest details. I
+will follow along after the main body. Be cautious, but at the same time
+keep moving, for we ought to be within striking distance of those
+rascals in a few hours more."
+
+The lieutenant saluted and rode back to the column, drawing his sword
+as he went. Dropping the weapon behind the third column of fours, he
+gave the order. "The first three fours, right by twos--march! Column
+left--march!"
+
+This brought the selected twelve alongside the new trail, which they at
+once began to follow up at a gallop, waving their caps to their comrades
+as they rode away. By selecting his men in this way the lieutenant did
+not happen to take Bob Owens, who rode farther back in the column. The
+young soldier, who was not in the habit of being slighted when there was
+anything of this kind going on, was both surprised and provoked at his
+officer; but he afterward thanked him for choosing his men as he did,
+and congratulated himself on having been left behind. Mr. Wentworth
+gazed longingly after the lieutenant, and sometimes seemed on the point
+of riding in pursuit of him; but he finally made up his mind to stay
+with the main column.
+
+The troopers presently resumed the march, keeping up the same rapid pace
+as before, and in a few minutes lost sight of Lieutenant Earle and his
+party, who disappeared among the sandhills. The latter must have ridden
+very swiftly, for shortly after noon they were a long distance from the
+main body, their position being pointed out by a slender column of
+white smoke that suddenly arose in the air.
+
+"That's them varmints, cap," said the scout, whose eye was quick to
+detect the signal. "They're talkin' to each other."
+
+"I know there is somebody where that smoke comes from, but I am not sure
+that they are hostiles," replied Captain Clinton. "On the contrary, I am
+of the opinion that the men who built that fire want to talk to _me_. At
+any rate, I shall soon know."
+
+As the captain said this he pulled his watch from his pocket with one
+hand, and with the other produced a note-book, which he held ready for
+reference. The column was not halted, but the eye of every man in it was
+fastened upon the distant smoke. When it had ascended to such a height
+that its top seemed lost in the clouds, it was suddenly cut loose from
+the ground by some mysterious agency, and floated off into space. A few
+seconds passed, and then two balloon-shaped clouds arose in quick
+succession from the same spot, and George took note of the fact that
+when the last one arose the captain looked at his watch. Another short
+interval elapsed, and then two more clouds arose, and finally two more;
+whereupon the captain gave his knee a ringing slap and consulted his
+note-book.
+
+"I knew I couldn't be mistaken," said he. "That's from Earle, and he is
+about to communicate with me by courier.--Push ahead now, scout, for he
+is on a hot trail. Hallo! have you found another?" he added as the
+scout, instead of obeying the order to "push ahead," suddenly drew up
+his horse and threw himself from his saddle. "How many have gone off
+this time?"
+
+"The same number," answered the scout, "an' they were goin' somewhar
+too, for their ponies were movin' at full jump when they turned off
+here. They're up to some trick or another, but I can't tell yet what it
+is."
+
+"Then we must find out, for it is our business to look into these little
+things. I should like to know where this trail leads to, and I want--Let
+me see."
+
+The captain turned about and ran his eye over the column, which came to
+a halt as soon as the commanding officer was seen to stop his horse. He
+seemed to be in a quandary, out of which he was helped almost
+immediately by the sight of a soldierly figure upon which his gaze
+rested for a moment.
+
+"He's the man I want," said the captain aloud.--"Ackerman, will you tell
+Lieutenant Smith, who is now in command of Earle's troop, that I want to
+see Corporal Owens?"
+
+"Certainly, sir. May I go with him?" replied George, who knew in a
+moment that there was something in the wind.
+
+The captain nodded assent, and George galloped back to the column. When
+he returned Bob Owens rode at his side. The captain was writing--copying
+something upon a piece of paper from his note-book--but he stopped long
+enough to return Bob's salute, although he did not say anything to him.
+Seeing that the officer's horse was growing restive at the delay, and
+that by his constant pawing and tossing of his head he disturbed his
+rider, who did his writing while seated in the saddle, Bob dismounted
+and took the animal by the bridle, and the troopers who remained in
+column seized the opportunity to fill and light their pipes.
+
+"There!" said the captain at length.--"Step up here, corporal, and I
+will explain this to you.--Ackerman, tell Lieutenant Smith to pick out
+twelve good men to follow this new trail."
+
+By the time the lieutenant had received and obeyed this order, Captain
+Clinton, who was a fast talker, had told the corporal just what he
+wanted him to do, and explained to him the contents of the paper he had
+copied from his note-book; and Bob, who was quick to comprehend, had
+caught and weighed all his words as fast as they were uttered. He then
+put himself at the head of his men and led them away, George Ackerman
+riding by his side.
+
+"Now we are off for another lark," exclaimed Carey as soon as he and his
+companions had left the column out of hearing. By some chance, he and
+Loring and Phillips had been selected to accompany Bob on every one of
+his expeditions, and as they had never failed to accomplish the object
+for which they were sent out, they began to think that there was nothing
+too hard for them to undertake.
+
+"But this may not be so much of a 'lark' as you think," said Bob; and
+Carey afterward recalled the words when he found himself debarred from
+accompanying other scouting-parties on account of a painful wound in
+his sword-arm. "We are not out after deserters now, but Indians."
+
+"What are you going to do with them if you find them?" asked Loring.
+
+"I shall make things as lively for them as I can," replied Bob. "But I
+don't think I shall come up with them; and the captain doesn't expect me
+to. He is going to follow every trail and force the Indians to go back
+to their agency, whether they want to go or not; that is, unless we can
+overhaul them before they get there."
+
+"I _know_ we are not out on a 'lark,'" said George Ackerman. "What would
+you say if we had to go into camp to-night without water?"
+
+"Gracious!" exclaimed Phillips, looking around at the sandhills, which
+now shut them in on all sides. "The prospect of finding a stream or a
+spring is not very flattering, is it? I wish we could find one now, for
+the water in my canteen is just ready to boil."
+
+"You had better be careful of it," said George, "for it is much better
+than none at all."
+
+"Is there any water to be found in this country?"
+
+"Oh yes; and this trail will take us to it by the shortest route. An
+Indian can't live without water any more than we can, and he knows just
+where to find it."
+
+"Say, George," exclaimed Bob suddenly, "didn't I hear Mose say that when
+the four horses that made this trail turned off the _big_ trail, they
+were going at full speed?"
+
+George replied that he did say so.
+
+"How did he know it?" continued Bob.
+
+"By the looks of the tracks and the distance between them. When a horse
+is walking his hind foot covers about half the print made by his fore
+foot, and the tracks are from two and a half to three feet apart. When
+the horse is trotting the tracks are not so distinct, the one made by
+the fore foot being nearly covered up, and they are from seven to eight
+feet apart. When he is running the print of only one foot can be seen,
+as a general thing the ground about the tracks is considerably
+disturbed, and they are from seven to twelve feet apart."
+
+If Carey and the rest of the squad did not learn to their entire
+satisfaction that they were not out on a picnic this time, the horses on
+which they were mounted certainly did, for before an hour had passed
+they were very much in need of water--so much so that Bob brought them
+down to a trot, and at last to a walk. At the end of another hour their
+riders began to suffer in the same way, and it was not long before every
+drop in their canteens, warm as it was, had disappeared. Whether it was
+the parched appearance of things around them; or the effects of the
+wind, which came into their faces as hot as a blast from a furnace; or
+the reflection of the sun's rays from the sandhills around them; or the
+sand itself, which arose in the air when disturbed by their horses'
+hoofs, and settled in their mouths and nostrils,--whether it was one or
+all of these causes combined that made them so very thirsty they did not
+think to inquire, but certain it was that they would have welcomed the
+discovery of a water-course more heartily now than at any other time
+during their march. Just how long this state of affairs was to continue
+they did not know, for there was not one among them who could tell
+whether water was five or twenty miles off. The only thing they could do
+was to follow the trail and await the issue of events with all the
+patience they could command.
+
+After they had been separated from the main column for about three
+hours, two incidents happened which served to relieve the monotony of
+the march, and caused them, for the time being, to forget how
+uncomfortably hot and dusty and thirsty they were. As they were riding
+silently along behind George Ackerman, whose fast-walking nag had
+carried him some distance in advance of the squad, they saw him draw
+rein all of a sudden and raise his hand with a warning gesture. Then he
+backed his horse under cover of a convenient sandhill, and pulling his
+field-glass from the case he carried slung over his shoulder, he
+levelled it at some object that had attracted his attention, but which
+could not be seen by the troopers.
+
+Bob at once ordered a halt, and rode forward to inquire into the matter.
+When he reached George's side he found himself on the outskirts of a
+sort of basin in the plain, which looked as though it might have been
+scooped out by the wind. It was covered with sand, and dotted here and
+there with little bunches of yellow grass and weeds. On the opposite
+side of this basin, which was perhaps a mile and a half wide, was a
+single horseman, who was riding toward them at a rapid pace.
+
+"I couldn't make out, at that distance, whether he was a friend or foe,
+so I thought it best to warn you," said George.
+
+"That was all right, of course. Can you make him out with your glass?"
+
+"Very plainly. He's a soldier--one of Lieutenant Earle's men, probably."
+
+"That's just who he is," exclaimed Bob after he had taken a look at the
+horseman through the field-glass. "I know him. That signal-smoke we saw
+just before we left the column was sent up to inform the captain that
+Earle had despatched a courier to him with some important news, and now
+we will find out what it is.--Come on, fellows," he added, waving his
+hand to the squad; "it is one of our own company, boys."
+
+Bob and his companion rode out in plain view, and a few seconds later
+the troopers joined them. Their sudden appearance must have astonished
+the approaching courier, and perhaps alarmed him too, for he pulled up
+his horse with a jerk, and, shading his eyes with his hand, gazed at
+them long and earnestly. They waved their caps to reassure him, and in a
+few minutes he came up. The first words he uttered showed that he had
+already had quite enough of scouting in the Staked Plains.
+
+"Did anybody ever see so dreary a hole as this?" said he as he lifted
+his cap and drew his handkerchief across his forehead--"nothing but
+sandhills as far as you can see, and one looks so much like another that
+a fellow don't know how to shape a course. It must be just fearful in
+here when the wind blows.--I say, corporal, where am I? and what are you
+doing out here?"
+
+"I can't answer your first question, for I don't know myself," answered
+Bob. "I was sent out to follow a new trail we found just after you sent
+up that smoke. What was the meaning of it?--Carey, climb up to the top
+of that sandhill and tell us if you can see anything."
+
+"Lieutenant Earle sent up that smoke to let the captain know that he was
+about to send him some news," replied the horseman; "and I don't see why
+the captain didn't send up a reply, for I don't know where to find him."
+
+"I will point out his position as near as I can before you leave us,"
+said Bob. "Is that news of any importance?"
+
+"I should say it was," exclaimed the courier. "We've struck it hot, I
+tell you. On the banks of a little stream we found somewhere off in that
+direction--"
+
+"Look here, Aleck!" exclaimed Loring; "I thought that canteen of yours
+looked as though it had been dipped in water not so _very_ long ago. Why
+don't you pass it around? We haven't got a drop left."
+
+"Is that so?" said the courier, who promptly unslung his canteen. "You
+are welcome to it, but touch it easy, so that everybody can have a
+taste, and don't forget to save some for Carey.--As I was saying, on the
+banks of that stream the scout discovered the tracks of little boots."
+
+The troopers all uttered exclamations when they heard this, and Loring
+was so anxious to hear more that he forgot he was thirsty, and after
+holding the canteen in his hand for a moment passed it to a comrade
+without tasting of its contents.
+
+"Mr. Wentworth acted as though he thought he ought to go with Lieutenant
+Earle's squad, and when he hears that he will be sorry that he stayed
+behind," observed Bob.
+
+"Won't he, though!" said the courier.
+
+"I suppose there is no doubt that the tracks were made by his boys?"
+said George.
+
+"None whatever. How could there be? The Indians have no other prisoners
+with them."
+
+"They have none that we know of," said George. "But as they visited
+other ranches, they may have taken other boys captive."
+
+"How do you know that they did visit other ranches?" demanded the
+courier. "Mr. Wentworth didn't say anything about it in my hearing."
+
+"Nor in mine, either," replied George. "But he did say in my hearing
+that he had lost not more than half a dozen horses, and the trail shows
+that they have more than fifty with them."
+
+"Well," said the courier, looking down at the horn of his saddle in a
+brown study, "if that's the case, the Indians may have--No, they didn't,
+either," he added, brightening. "Mr. Wentworth told the colonel, in
+Lieutenant Earle's hearing, that the Indians jumped down on his ranche
+just after he had finished mending his oldest boy's boots. He put a
+patch on each one of them just under the ball of the foot, and those
+patches showed in the tracks."
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed George, "that will pass for evidence."
+
+"At any rate," continued the courier, "I was ordered to tell the captain
+that we were on the trail of the party who had the children. That's all
+the news I have, I believe.--What shall I tell the captain for you,
+corporal?"
+
+"Say to him that you found me following up my trail as fast as the
+condition of my horses would permit," answered Bob. "It is as plain as
+daylight, and if I could only get some water now and then, I could
+follow it at a gallop.--What is it, Carey?"
+
+"A smoke away off to the south-east," replied the soldier, who was lying
+flat on the top of the nearest sandhill.
+
+Bob at once dismounted and made his way up the hill, followed by George
+and the courier. They did not expose their full height to view, but
+crept up on their hands and knees, and when they reached the top pulled
+off their caps before they looked over it. They knew that Indians, when
+they are retreating, always leave some of their number to watch the
+trail, and they adopted these precautions in order to avoid discovery by
+these rear-guards should there chance to be any in the neighborhood. The
+reflection of the sun's rays from the brass ornaments on their caps
+would have been seen by a watchful Indian at an almost incredible
+distance.
+
+"I see the smoke," said Bob, pulling from his pocket the paper which
+Captain Clinton had given him--"Where is your watch, George? Now look
+for the signal."
+
+The smoke, like the one Lieutenant Earle had sent up a few hours before,
+ascended in a straight, slender column for a few seconds, and then
+floated away out of sight. A few seconds later three little columns,
+shaped like the clouds which are thrown out by the discharge of a
+cannon, arose in the air in quick succession, followed after a little
+delay by three others. Bob waited and watched, but as no more clouds
+appeared, he knew that the signal had been made. The next thing was to
+find out what it meant.
+
+"George," said he, "after those first three smokes appeared how long was
+it before the others were seen?"
+
+"Just thirty seconds," replied the time-keeper.
+
+Bob ran his eye over the paper he held in his hand, and presently found
+the following, which he read aloud: "Three smokes, followed at the
+interval of half a minute by three others, are intended to point out the
+position of the signalling-party."--"There you are!" said he, turning to
+the courier. "Fix in your mind the place from which that smoke arose,
+and then travel a little to the north of it, so as to allow for the
+captain's progress, and you will find him."
+
+"How far away was that smoke?" asked the courier as he and his
+companions crept back down the hill.
+
+"Fifteen miles," replied George.
+
+"Whew! Well, I'll get there if I can. Who's got my canteen? Why, you
+have left some in it!" he added as one of the squad handed him the
+article in question. "Don't any of you want another taste?"
+
+Yes, there were plenty there who could have drained the canteen to the
+last drop and then called for more, but knowing that the courier would
+have need of it before he had galloped fifteen miles under that broiling
+sun with the hot wind blowing upon him, they all declared that they had
+had enough.
+
+After Carey and Loring had moistened their parched lips the courier
+sprang upon his horse and waved his farewell, while Bob and his men,
+feeling somewhat refreshed, took up the trail again and followed it at a
+trot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+ANOTHER FEATHER FOR BOB'S CAP.
+
+
+The second diversion of which we have spoken occurred about an hour
+after Lieutenant Earle's courier left them. It was nothing more nor less
+than the discovery of the fact that the party of whom they were in
+pursuit had been joined by another warrior, whose pony's tracks came
+from the direction in which the lieutenant was supposed to be scouting.
+Bob and his men did not seem to attach much importance to this, but
+George did. He looked the ground over very carefully, and reached
+conclusions that astonished himself.
+
+"Bob Owens," said he in a low tone as they resumed the march, "you've
+got another chance to put a feather in your hat--a big one, too.
+Lieutenant Earle will never rescue Mr. Wentworth's boys, but you can if
+you're smart."
+
+Bob, who always listened in the greatest amazement (and with some
+incredulity, too, it must be confessed) to his friend's predictions,
+could only look the surprise he felt. How any one, by simply looking at
+a pony's track, could tell what a party of men whom he had never seen
+were going to do, he could not understand.
+
+"To begin with," continued George, "our Indians expected to have an
+addition made to their party, and they expected also that it would be
+made just where it _was_ made. How do I know that? By the looks of
+things. The ponies were all huddled together in one place, and they must
+have stood there a good while, judging by the stamping they did. Their
+riders must have dismounted there, for I saw the prints of their
+moccasins in the sand. I noticed also that the side of the nearest
+sandhill had been disturbed, and that told me that one of their number
+had climbed up there to watch for the expected warrior."
+
+"Perhaps he was watching for us," suggested Bob.
+
+"If he was, he wouldn't have watched for us with his feet, would he?"
+demanded George.
+
+"'With his feet'?" echoed Bob.
+
+"Yes. He would have been more likely to watch for us with his eyes."
+
+"How do you know that he didn't?"
+
+"Because he climbed up on our side of the hill, and that would have
+exposed his whole body to our view if we had been anywhere within sight
+of him. His eyes were turned the other way; that is, in Lieutenant
+Earle's direction. He wasn't afraid of being seen by us, but he took all
+due precautions to conceal himself from the gaze of any one who might
+happen to come that way from Lieutenant Earle's command; for near the
+place where the ponies were standing I saw the tufts of grass he had
+pulled up to tie around his head."
+
+"Well, I am beat!" exclaimed Bob.
+
+"What beats you?"
+
+"You do: I didn't see any of those things."
+
+"Probably you didn't, for the reason that you didn't look for them. You
+see, I have passed a good many years on the Plains, and I have learned
+that eternal vigilance is the price of a cowboy's life and liberty. When
+his scalp depends upon the correct reading of such signs as those which
+I have just described to you, he is not often caught napping. My long
+association with Zeke, whose eyes seemed to be everywhere, has got me
+into the habit of keeping my own eyes open. Probably there were other
+things there that would have been perfectly plain to Zeke or Mountain
+Mose which I didn't see.
+
+"Now, of course I don't _know_ that this new warrior brought Mr.
+Wentworth's children with him when he came over to join our Indians, but
+everything seems to point that way. One of the proofs--and the
+strongest, in my humble opinion--is found in the fact that the Indians
+allowed their captives to dismount on the banks of that stream the
+courier told us of. I am inclined to believe that they went farther than
+that, and compelled the boys to walk in the mud and leave their tracks
+there."
+
+"I don't see why they did that," observed Bob. "I should think they
+would want to keep everybody from knowing where the boys were."
+
+"So they would if they had intended to keep the boys with them, but they
+did not. This is their plan, as near as I can get at it; and in order to
+make my explanation clearer I will call the party of which Lieutenant
+Earle is in pursuit No. 1, that which we want to find No. 2, and that
+the captain is following up No. 3. The warriors in No. 1 are doubtless
+the best mounted of all the raiders. When they separated from the main
+body they left a broad trail, so that they could be easily followed,
+taking the children with them, and leaving now and then a sign of their
+presence, for no other purpose than to coax the captain to follow them
+with his whole force. As soon as they reached a piece of rocky ground,
+where a pony's feet would leave no track, one of their number picked up
+the boys and brought them over here, where party No. 2 was waiting for
+him. Those he left behind will show themselves to Lieutenant Earle
+occasionally, and perhaps open a little fight with him, just to induce
+him to continue the pursuit. Party No. 3 will drive the stock ahead as
+fast as possible, and get away with it if they can; but if they find
+that they are likely to be overtaken, they will drop the cattle and do
+everything they can to keep the captain on their trail, so as to give
+party No. 2 a chance to escape with the prisoners. Now, that's a long
+story, and no doubt it is a hard one to believe; but I don't think I am
+far from right when I tell you that it is quite in your power to carry
+off the honors of this expedition. Captain Clinton will have his hands
+full until he recovers that stock; so will Lieutenant Earle as long as
+he follows those will-o'-the-wisps in front of him; and to you will be
+left the duty, as well as the privilege, of looking out for the safety
+of Mr. Wentworth's little boys."
+
+"Whew!" panted Bob, who was very much impressed, although not wholly
+convinced, by his companion's clear and forcible reasoning. "Then I am
+the chief man in this scout, am I? Suppose--I say, just _suppose_--I
+should be lucky enough to rescue those boys alive and unharmed, what
+would the fellows say? What would Mr. Wentworth say?"
+
+"The boys would cheer you, and you would win Mr. Wentworth's everlasting
+gratitude," replied George. "But, Bob, the prisoners have not been
+rescued yet, and I warn you that unless you are as sly as a fox you will
+be the means of their death. If the Indians discover you, and find
+themselves unable to escape, their very first act will be to kill those
+boys."
+
+"Good gracious!" exclaimed Bob, dropping his reins upon the horn of his
+saddle and pulling off his cap with one hand while he scratched his head
+vigorously with the other. "_Good_ gracious! The captain never thought
+of that when he sent me off with this squad, did he? George, the
+responsibility is too heavy for me. I think I'll ask the captain where
+he is, and then go and report to him."
+
+"That wouldn't be a very smart trick," protested George. "You would not
+only be taken to task for wasting valuable time, but the Indians, seeing
+a smoke that they couldn't understand arise on their trail, would take
+the alarm at once, and you would lose a fine chance of distinguishing
+yourself."
+
+"Don't you suppose they saw the smoke that Lieutenant Earle sent up?"
+
+"Of course they did--the captain's too. Those same smokes were a good
+thing for us, for I am of the opinion that they threw our party off
+their guard by leading them to believe they are not pursued. You mustn't
+send up a smoke along this trail if you want to catch those Indians.
+What are your orders, anyhow?"
+
+"To follow the trail until I am recalled or until the Indians throw me
+off entirely," replied Bob.
+
+"Then don't you see that you would be disobeying orders by marching your
+squad back to the column without a recall?" asked George. "You would
+surely get yourself into trouble by doing that, and besides, you would
+be hauled over the coals for not taking better care of your men and
+horses. They couldn't stand twenty miles more to-night without a rest,
+and how much of a rest could they get here in this oven, with no grass
+or water? Don't do it, Bob."
+
+"But the prisoners--just think of the prisoners!" exclaimed the
+perplexed corporal. "I don't want to feel that I am responsible for any
+harm that may befall them."
+
+"I don't see how you are going to shirk it."
+
+"Well, will you take command?"
+
+"Certainly not," answered George quickly. "Don't confess your incapacity
+by surrendering your authority. Besides, a scout never commands--he only
+advises; and I will help you in that way all I can. Go on, and say that
+you will do your best."
+
+"I will," said Bob, slamming his cap upon his head and seating himself
+firmly in his saddle. "If we can only place ourselves in a position to
+cover those boys, the Indians will not have a chance to touch them, I'll
+bet you. My men are all good marksmen."
+
+"And I am a tolerable one myself," said George. "A single hair of those
+boys' heads is worth the lives of all the Indians that ever saw the
+Staked Plains, and if it becomes necessary to shoot in their defence, I
+am ready. There is a high sandhill, and if you will stop here for a few
+minutes I will go up and see if I can discover anything."
+
+Bob raised his hand to halt the squad, and George swung himself out of
+his saddle. His first care was to lay aside his cap and rifle, and his
+next to pull up a quantity of grass and weeds to be used as a screen.
+With these in one hand and his field-glass in the other he crept slowly
+to the top of the sandhill, and, holding the screen a few inches above
+the ground, he pushed his field-glass under it and looked around.
+
+"Aha!" was his mental exclamation, "I shall have good news to carry back
+to the boys. There's a deep gully about five miles off, and there must
+be a stream of water running through it, or else those willows would not
+be growing there. I wish we had got here an hour earlier, for then I
+should have had daylight to aid me in making my observations. The
+Indians probably halted in that gully a few hours ago, and the question
+to be decided now is--Hallo! If that isn't smoke rising among those
+trees, what is it? And didn't that little cluster of bushes over there
+on the top of that hill shift its position just now?"
+
+George's heart beat wildly as he propounded these inquiries to himself.
+He took another long look, and then with a very slow and gradual motion
+he deposited his screen upon the sand and backed down to the plain. His
+stealthy movements told the troopers that he had seen something.
+
+"Corporal," said he as they rode up to him, "before you ask any
+questions let me suggest that you order your men to remove their sabres
+as quietly as possibly."
+
+Bob quickly unhooked his own sabre from his belt, and looked at his men,
+who made all haste to follow his example. They knew that there could be
+but one reason for this order. A steel scabbard hanging by the side of a
+careless rider will strike against his spurs with every step his horse
+takes, or rattle against his leg as the trooper walks about, giving out
+a clear ringing sound that will betray his presence to foes far less
+watchful and sharp-eared than Indians.
+
+"So we have run them into their holes, have we?" said Bob when he had
+acted upon George's suggestion.
+
+"That remains to be seen. They are camped about five miles from here,
+and one of their lookouts is watching the trail."
+
+The troopers looked at Bob as if to ask what he was going to do about
+it, and Bob, who had as little idea of the orders he ought to give under
+the circumstances as he had of the Greek language, looked at George. The
+latter did not say anything, for he wanted the troopers to hold fast to
+their belief that the corporal was able to act for himself in any and
+every emergency; but he gave his friend a look that was plainly
+understood.
+
+"Dismount," commanded Bob; "we'll rest here until we can determine upon
+something. Let every man keep fast hold of his horse, for a neigh from
+one of them would make dough of our cake in a little less than no time.
+Eat and whisper as much as you please, but--"
+
+"Don't smoke," put in George.
+
+"Oh, Moses!" ejaculated the troopers in subdued tones.
+
+"An Indian will smell smoke from a pipe or a camp-fire a long distance,"
+added George.
+
+"Then keep your pipes in your pockets, where they can't do any
+mischief," said Bob.--"George, I'd like to take a look at that camp."
+
+George at once led the way up the hill, but when he neared the top he
+said in a whisper,
+
+"Perhaps you had better trust to my eyes instead of your own; not but
+that you can see as far as I can, but you might be a little careless in
+handling that screen, and the least false motion on your part would be
+seen by that lookout, whose eyes are as good as a telescope."
+
+"All right!" replied Bob, who wondered what he should have done if
+George had not been there to advise him. "What shall we do?"
+
+"Let me take another look, and then I will talk to you."
+
+So saying, George crept back to the top of the hill and looked under his
+screen as before. It was rapidly growing dark, but he could see that the
+sentry still kept his position, and that the camp-fire was burning
+brightly.
+
+"They do not stand in the least fear of pursuit," said he as he backed
+down to Bob's side, "but they have taken measures to prevent surprise,
+as they always do when they are on the war-path."
+
+"How long do you suppose that sentry will stay there?"
+
+"Just as long as his friends stay in the gully. I do not mean by that
+that this particular Indian will act as lookout all the time, but that
+some member of the party will be constantly on the watch."
+
+The first thing to be done was to decide upon a plan of operations, and
+this took a good deal of hard thinking, for there was a good deal
+depending upon it. George made the most of the suggestions, and Bob
+accepted every one of them without argument. The camp was to be attacked
+as soon as they could get within reach of it: both were agreed upon
+that. Bob advised a surround, in order to prevent the escape of any of
+the Indians; but George objected, urging as a reason for his objections
+that no one but an Indian could work his way through those thick bushes
+and trees without making a good deal of noise, and that would knock the
+whole thing in the head.
+
+"Don't be too ambitious," said he. "Don't try to grab too big a handful,
+and so run the risk of losing everything. Keep your men near you, so
+that you can have an eye on every one of them. Look out for the boys;
+and if by so doing you give the Indians a chance to escape, as you will
+most likely, let them go and welcome."
+
+An immediate advance having been resolved upon, and the part that each
+man was to play in the coming fight (provided the Indians decided to
+make a fight of it) having been thoroughly discussed, Bob and his
+companion returned to the place where they had left the troopers. The
+former issued his orders in a few brief words, and in a very short space
+of time eight barefooted men, armed only with their carbines and
+revolvers, were drawn up in line ready to do his further bidding; while
+the four troopers who were to be left behind to hold the horses and to
+take care of the sabres, shoes and stockings which their lucky comrades
+had thrown upon the ground, listened with as good grace as they could to
+a few parting words from their corporal.
+
+"Now, boys," said the latter, "keep quiet and don't smoke. We have been
+following the trail of only five Indians, but we don't know how many may
+have joined them since they went into camp; so you must hold yourselves
+in readiness for any emergency. Keep a good lookout for the signal, and
+if you don't see it by the time the moon rises, which will be about
+midnight, take care of yourselves. Draw as straight a course for the
+column as you can, and tell the boys, when you find them, that the reds
+got the best of us while we were trying to do our duty. Good-bye.--Lead
+on, George."
+
+Although our hero had passed his life amid scenes of danger, and more
+than once listened to the sound of hostile bullets (that was during the
+"neighborhood row" of which we have spoken in the first volume of this
+series), he had never before taken part in a scout after Indians, and it
+may be readily imagined that Bob's parting words did not serve to
+encourage him in any great degree. Bob seemed to think that there was a
+possibility that their attempted surprise might end in utter defeat. The
+bare thought was enough to make George's hair stand on end, but it did
+not make him lose any of the sympathy he felt for the boy-captives or
+falter in his resolve to do all he could toward effecting their release.
+In obedience to Bob's order to "lead on" he raised his rifle to his
+shoulder and glided off into the darkness, the troopers following in
+single file. Before he had marched half a mile Bob hurried up and placed
+himself by his side.
+
+"Say, George," he whispered, "you are not going toward the camp. If you
+follow this course, you will miss it by half a mile or more."
+
+"I don't want to go toward the camp," was the reply. "We must circle
+around so as to come up in the rear of that sentry, who, as I told you,
+will stay on the top of that hill as long as his friends stay in the
+gully."
+
+"Do you think we can capture him without alarming the others?"
+
+"We are not going to try; at least, I sha'n't advise it. If we can save
+the boys, we ought to be satisfied. That sentry will dig out as soon as
+he scents danger, and all we can do is to let him go."
+
+"How awful still it is, and how fearful dark!" continued Bob. "I hope
+you won't get confused and miss your way."
+
+"There is no danger of that," replied George confidently. "I can see the
+stars, and they are as good as a compass to me. I have often travelled
+by them, and they have never fooled me yet."
+
+"Where are the wolves, I wonder?" said Bob, who was so impatient and so
+highly excited that he could not long hold his peace. "They keep up
+their unearthly howls every night when we wish them a thousand miles
+away, but now, when a yelp from one of them would be a relief, they
+don't put in an appearance."
+
+"And I am glad of it," said George. "Don't you know that a pack of
+wolves are the best sentries a camping-party can have?"
+
+Yes, Bob said he was aware of that fact.
+
+"Well," continued George, "don't you see that the little breeze there is
+stirring is blowing from us toward the camp? If there were any wolves
+around, they would probably be on the other side of the gully, for it
+would be a waste of time for them to prowl around here among these
+sandhills, where they couldn't find even a rabbit to eat. The moment
+they caught our wind they would scamper off, and then 'Good-bye,
+prisoners.' I wish I knew where those Indians have staked out their
+ponies, for I stand more in fear of them than I do of that sentry. If we
+should get to windward of them, they would kick up a rumpus directly."
+
+The longer Bob talked with George the more clearly the difficulties
+attending his undertaking seemed to stand but before him, and the
+greater grew his anxiety and impatience. If his attempt to surprise the
+Indian camp failed, there was no telling when Mr. Wentworth's boys
+would be heard of again. If it suited their captors to spare their
+lives, they would doubtless be sold to some band who lived at a great
+distance from the agency, and who would take the greatest pains to keep
+their existence a profound secret. If they were ever given up at all, it
+would only be after that particular band had been soundly thrashed for
+some outrage, and then they would be brought forward as an element in
+the "peace negotiations," their captors demanding a heavy ransom and
+taking great credit to themselves for surrendering them. But this might
+not happen for years, and during that time a great many things might
+happen to the boys. They might become so completely broken down by cruel
+treatment that their death would be a blessing, or else so thoroughly
+infatuated with the Indian mode of life that, if left to themselves,
+they would choose to go back to the wigwams of their savage masters
+rather than return to the home of their father.
+
+"It's now or never," said Bob to himself after he had thought the matter
+over. "I don't wonder that Mr. Wentworth feels so spiteful, for if these
+Indians are not killed during this scout, they will never be punished
+for what they have done to him. The government is too tender-hearted to
+touch them, and if Mr. Wentworth takes the law into his own hands, he
+will be sure to suffer for it. They will go back to their agency to grow
+fat on government grub and be kept warm in winter by government
+blankets; and their agent, in order to prevent an investigation that
+might take a few dollars out of his pocket, will be ready to swear that
+they have never been off their reservation. I wonder how he would feel
+if he saw his own children carried into captivity?"
+
+For two long hours the weary troopers continued the march, stopping for
+rest only when Bob and George climbed some sandhill to reconnoitre the
+ground before them. The deep silence that brooded over the Staked Plains
+was almost oppressive. The bare feet of the troopers gave out no sound
+as they sank into the yielding sand, and all that could be heard was
+their labored breathing as they walked behind their leader, trusting
+implicitly to his guidance. They never uttered a word, but Bob's
+impatience and nervousness would have kept his tongue in constant motion
+had it not been for George, who gave him an energetic prod in the ribs
+whenever he showed a disposition to become colloquial. He felt that he
+must do something pretty soon or sink under his burden of
+responsibility, which seemed to grow heavier the longer he walked;
+consequently, when George stopped all of a sudden and silently pointed
+his finger at a dense wall of trees that ran across their path, his
+delight knew no bounds. The ravine in which the Indians were encamped
+was close in front of them. The murmuring of the waterfall which came up
+from its wooded depths was a pleasant sound to his ears, but he and his
+troopers had much to do before they could quench their thirst at that
+rippling stream.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+HE WINS IT FAIRLY.
+
+
+As it was not necessary to waste any precious time in giving verbal
+orders, a complete code of signals having been decided upon before they
+left their horses, George at once threw himself upon his hands and
+knees, and worked his way along the edge of the bluff until he reached a
+position directly above the camp, the location of which was pointed out
+by a little blaze, scarcely larger, apparently, than the flame of a
+candle. He looked in vain for the sentry, and would have given something
+handsome if there had been some one at hand to tell him just where he
+was.
+
+"If he still holds his position on the top of that sandhill, we are all
+right," said George to himself, "but if he has taken the alarm, we are
+all wrong. In that case the Indians have done one of two things: they
+have either made ready to ambush us, or else they have fled, taking
+their prisoners with them. Well, we shall soon know, for here goes for
+the fight that none of us may ever come out of alive."
+
+As these thoughts passed through George's mind he seized Bob's
+waist-belt and gave it two jerks, which meant "Follow me." Then he crept
+back along the line, and as he passed each trooper he took him by the
+arm and pulled him around, so that his head pointed toward the
+camp-fire. This meant a movement by the right flank. After this he and
+Bob placed themselves in the centre of the line, the men giving way
+right and left to make room for them, and at a given signal Bob stuck
+his elbow into the ribs of the trooper to the left of him, while George
+in a similar manner admonished the one on the right of himself; and the
+advance began, the guide being centre. We mean by this that the men on
+Bob's left kept themselves in their proper place in line by touching the
+shoulder of the man next on their right, while those on George's right
+hand kept within easy reach of the men next on their left, each member
+of the line moving no whit slower or faster than the guides in the
+centre, Bob and George. If _they_ stopped and listened and tried to
+peer through the bushes in front of them to obtain a view of the camp,
+the whole line stopped and listened and peered. When the guides advanced
+the troopers did the same, their movements being conducted without a
+whisper, and with such extreme caution that scarcely a leaf was heard to
+rustle. It took them almost an hour to descend the bluff, which was
+probably not more than a hundred feet in height, but the sight that
+greeted them when the final halt was made more than repaid them for all
+their toil. They had crept up within less than a dozen yards of the
+fire, and the camp and all its inmates were in plain view of them.
+
+Their first care was to find the boys, and the next to ascertain the
+number and position of their adversaries. The boys were there, lying
+side by side on a bed of leaves, with their arms thrown around each
+other, and wrapped in slumber as peaceful, apparently, as ever came to
+their eyes while they were safe under their father's roof. Every one of
+the troopers shut his lips tightly at the sight of them, and half a
+dozen cocked carbines were pointed over their unconscious heads, ready
+to send to kingdom-come the first thing in the shape of a Kiowa that
+dared approach them. They were not protected in any way from the night
+air save by the branches of the trees which waved gently above them,
+while every one of the four Indians who were lying around them was
+wrapped up head and ears in a quilt or blanket which he had stolen
+during the raid.
+
+One sweeping glance was enough to enable Bob and George to take in all
+these little details, and it is scarcely necessary to say that they were
+highly elated over the promise of success which the situation seemed to
+hold out to them. Bob would have been a little better satisfied if he
+could have seen any way of taking the Indians alive, and so making a
+"finished job of it," as he afterward told his friend George; but,
+knowing that this was entirely beyond his power, he was about to give
+the signal to advance when a most unexpected interruption occurred. They
+heard the snapping of twigs behind them, accompanied by a slight
+rustling among the leaves, such as might be made by some heavy body
+working its way cautiously through the thick undergrowth. The astonished
+troopers hugged the ground closely, holding their breath in suspense;
+and in a second more, without a single footstep being audible, the
+bushes parted and the form of an Indian warrior could be dimly seen
+through the darkness.
+
+"Beyond a doubt it is the sentry coming in to call his relief," thought
+Bob. "_Now_, how am I going to act? Shall I let him go into the camp, or
+not?"
+
+Without pausing an instant, the Indian, all unconscious of danger,
+approached the line, and might have passed through it between Bob and
+Carey without discovering anything to excite his suspicions, had not the
+former, acting upon the impulse of the moment, made up his mind that he
+would not go back to his comrades without at least one prisoner to
+reward him for his long and tiresome scout. Throwing out his arm, he
+caught the warrior around the legs and lifting him from the ground threw
+him upon his back. He fell across Carey and Loring, both of whom turned
+like lightning and seized him, one trying to secure his arms, so that he
+could not draw a weapon, and the other taking him by the throat.
+Everything was done quickly, but not quickly enough to shut off the wild
+yell with which the captive Indian awoke the echoes of the gully. Seeing
+that all further attempts at concealment were useless, Bob and George
+jumped to their feet.
+
+"Forward with a cheer!" yelled the former. "Cover the boys, everybody."
+
+This last order was hardly necessary, for each individual member of the
+squad had secretly resolved to do that very thing, leaving his
+companions to act as they pleased.
+
+The Indians were wide awake and moving before their unlucky comrade's
+yell had fairly left his lips. So quickly did they spring to their feet
+that the troopers might have thought, if they had been allowed time to
+think at all, that the savages had been merely keeping up an appearance
+of sleep, so as to be ready to jump from their blankets at the very
+first note of alarm. So well schooled were they, and so ready to act,
+and to act quickly and intelligently in any emergency, that they did not
+hesitate an instant. They did not even look to see from which way the
+danger that threatened them was coming, but made a simultaneous rush for
+their captives, intending, no doubt, to carry them away if they could,
+or to kill them if they found themselves surrounded so that they could
+not escape. But no Indian's hand touched those boys again that night.
+Three of them fell dead before they had fairly left their tracks, and
+the other, taking warning by their fate, dived into the bushes in much
+the same way that a boy takes a "header" from a log, and got safely off,
+in spite of the bullets which whistled about his ears and scattered the
+leaves all over him. The troopers knew that he had got off unhurt,
+because there was no blood on the trail which George took up the next
+morning and followed to the place where the Indians had left their
+horses--a little glade about a quarter of a mile from the camp in which
+grass was abundant and water easy of access.
+
+George at once made his way to the side of the captives, who were
+sitting up on their bed of leaves, rubbing their eyes and looking about
+in a bewildered sort of way, and throwing his arm around them spoke
+soothing and encouraging words in their ears; while Bob, after ordering
+one of his men to mend the fire, seized a brand from it and ran back to
+see what had become of Carey and Loring. The fight was over, and Carey
+was growling lustily over a wound in his arm which the slippery savage
+had inflicted upon him, having managed in some mysterious way to gain
+momentary possession of his knife; but Loring was unharmed and the
+Indian was insensible. He had been knocked out of time by a vicious
+whack from the butt of a carbine held in the hands of the enraged Carey.
+The blow was not, however, as effective as the trooper intended it
+should be, for it had expended a good deal of its power upon the bushes
+which happened to be in the way, and instead of sending the Indian out
+of the world altogether, it had only stunned him. He was powerless now.
+His hands were securely confined by Loring's carbine-sling, and the
+latter, having passed the Indian's blanket under his arms and brought
+the ends together behind his back, was ready to drag his captive into
+camp.
+
+"I am no slouch--there isn't a boy in the troop, young or old, who can
+take my measure on the ground--but if this fellow gave us a fair
+specimen of an Indian's way of rough-and-tumble fighting, I don't want
+to get hold of any more Indians.--He was a hard one, wasn't he?" said
+Loring, appealing to his wounded comrade, who grunted out an emphatic
+assent. "He didn't seem to be so very strong, but he was just a trifle
+quicker than chain-lightning, and as slippery and wiry as--as--Why, an
+eel isn't nowhere alongside of him."
+
+"I wish I had whacked him over the head before he gave me this prod,"
+said Carey, shaking his fist at the unconscious object of his wrath.
+"It's my sword-arm too, and I'll just bet that the doctor won't let me
+go on another scout for a month."
+
+With Bob's aid the Indian was dragged into camp, and thrown down there
+as if he had been a sack of corn. The fire was burning brightly (an
+Indian builds a small fire and gets close to it, while a white man
+builds a big one and backs away from it), the bodies of the slain
+warriors had been dragged into the bushes out of sight, and their
+weapons, saddles and bridles, which the troopers intended to carry back
+to the fort with them as trophies of their prowess, had been collected
+and deposited in a safe place.
+
+George had been devoting himself to the boys, who did not seem to be at
+all afraid, and were by no means so excited as he was. Their astonishing
+courage called forth the unbounded admiration of the troopers, and the
+pert answers they gave to the questions that were asked them made them
+smile.
+
+"Say, Bob, if you want to see what Texas boys are made of, come here,"
+said George. "The older one answers to the name of Sheldon, and the
+little fellow is Tommy. Sheldon says that if his brother had been a
+little older and stronger the Indians never would have taken them to
+their village, for they would have killed them and made their escape."
+
+"Humph!" grunted Carey, whose wound seemed to put him in very bad humor.
+
+"What makes you say that?" demanded Bob, turning upon him somewhat
+sharply. "Don't you know that such things have been done before now?"
+
+"By boys?" asked Carey.
+
+"Yes, by boys," replied Bob.
+
+"No, I don't know it," said the wounded trooper.
+
+"It's a matter of history, any way," said George. "Two brothers, John
+and Henry Johnson, aged respectively thirteen and eleven years of age,
+were captured by two Delaware Indians on Short Creek, West Virginia, in
+October, 1788. That very night they killed their captors by shooting one
+and tomahawking the other."
+
+"Did they get away?" asked Sheldon eagerly.
+
+"Yes, sir, they got away. Now, I want to ask you a few questions--and,
+Bob, I want you to pay attention to his replies.--Where have you been to
+get so much mud on your boots?"
+
+"Why, back there in the plains we came to a little bayou, and the banks
+of it was all muddy; and the Injins they pulled us off the ponies and
+made us walk into all that there mud, and then they laughed at us
+because we didn't like it," answered the boy; and his ludicrous display
+of rage over the indignity that had been put upon himself and his
+brother made the troopers smile again.
+
+"Go on," said George. "What did you do next?"
+
+"Well, they took us out of the mud after a while, the Injins did, and
+then one of 'em he took us on a pony and rode off by himself until he
+found this party; and we've been with them ever since."
+
+"What did I tell you?" exclaimed George, hitting Bob a back-handed slap
+on the chest. "What do you think of my guessing now?"
+
+"I think you are pretty good at it," answered Bob. "And seeing you
+_are_, I wish you would try your hand in a new line. Suppose you take a
+couple of men with you, and all our canteens and coffee-pots, and guess
+your way down the bluff to the stream, and bring us back a supply of
+water? We'll have a good fire going by the time you return, and then
+we'll boil a cup of coffee."
+
+"I'll do it," said George readily.
+
+"And while you are guessing, guess at the probable movements of that
+Indian who got away," continued Bob. "Will he be likely to trouble us
+to-night?"
+
+"He will not," was the confident reply. "Our party is too large. He will
+make the best of his way home, you may depend upon it."
+
+While George and the two troopers whom Bob detailed to accompany him
+were gone after the water, those who remained in camp were not idle. One
+bound up Carey's wounded arm, another brought in a bountiful supply of
+fire-wood, others stood guard, and one assisted the corporal in
+collecting a quantity of leaves and light branches, and went out with
+him to signal to the four men who had been left behind with the horses.
+They readily found the hill which had served as a lookout-station for
+the warrior who was now a captive in their hands; and they knew it when
+they found it, for there was the pile of bushes through which he had
+looked while watching the trail, and the print of his body in the sand.
+A fire was speedily lighted on the summit, and kept burning brightly to
+guide the absent troopers to the captured camp. That little beacon
+shining through the darkness must have been a welcome sight to their
+eyes, for it told of the complete success of their companions and of the
+rest and water that were to be found where they were.
+
+When George returned to the camp after nearly half an hour's absence he
+found the fire blazing cheerily, and the two rescued boys, who seemed
+almost exhausted by their long journey, sleeping soundly beside it,
+covered by a quilt which some kind-hearted trooper had thrown over their
+shoulders. The troopers were laughing heartily but silently at Carey and
+Loring, who seemed to bear their merriment with very bad grace.
+
+"What's the matter now?" inquired George as he distributed the canteens
+among them and placed the coffee-pots beside the fire.
+
+"Come here and see for yourself," replied Loring, taking George by the
+arm and leading him to the place where the captive Indian lay, all the
+troopers following at his heels.
+
+"Me good Injun," grunted the prisoner, who seemed to have recovered his
+senses.
+
+"So I perceive," replied George. "Good Indians steal stock and carry off
+white boys, don't they?--But I don't see anything about him to laugh
+at."
+
+"Why, he's nothing but a kid," exclaimed Phillips, "and yet Carey and
+Loring are both willing to confess that it was all they could do to
+handle him. They told us a wonderful story about the terrible fight they
+had before they could tie him, and so we took a look at him, expecting
+to find him a giant; but instead of that--Well, you can see that he's
+only a papoose."
+
+George looked down at the boyish face and slender figure of the young
+warrior, then at the two grizzly old veterans who had fought so hard to
+capture him, and felt more than half inclined to laugh himself. Either
+one of them could have strangled him with a finger and a thumb if he
+could have got hold of him; but getting a good hold was the trouble. An
+Indian makes up in suppleness and activity what he lacks in strength,
+and it takes a good man to handle one. Of course the troopers were sorry
+for their wounded comrade, but they had "got a joke" on him, and it was
+a long time before he heard the last of it.
+
+The men who had been left to take care of the horses arrived in about an
+hour, and then George had another disagreeable task to perform, which
+was to pilot the animals down to the water and find a feeding-ground for
+them. Being entirely unacquainted with the gully and surrounding
+country, it took him a long time to do this; but he accomplished it at
+last, in spite of the darkness, and about one o'clock in the morning he
+was at liberty to go to his blanket.
+
+The troopers slept later than usual the next morning, for they were all
+tired out; but Bob's loud call of "Catch up!" brought them to their feet
+before the sun had risen high enough to send any of his rays into the
+camp. As there was a good deal to be done and but little time to do it
+in, four details were made, and certain duties assigned to each. The
+first, which consisted solely of Loring, was ordered to dish up a cup of
+coffee in a little less than no time; George and Phillips were
+instructed to follow up the trail of the missing Indian and see where it
+led to; Bob and a companion bent their steps toward the sandhill to
+ascertain the whereabouts of the main body of the expedition; and the
+others brought in the horses and gave them the grain that was left in
+the saddle-pockets.
+
+Before ascending the hill Bob and his companion gathered each an armful
+of dry grass and weeds. These were deposited upon the highest part of
+the hill and lighted by a match which Bob struck on his coat-sleeve. As
+soon as the blaze was fairly started, but before the whole pile was
+ignited, Bob smothered it by throwing on more grass and weeds; and when
+this was done a column of smoke that could be seen at the distance of
+fifty miles began to rise in the air.
+
+"Now let me see," said Bob, pulling out the paper which Captain Clinton
+had copied from his note-book when he started him on the trail. "I want
+to say, 'Where are you, captain?' and how shall I say it?"
+
+He ran his eye down the page and finally found these instructions:
+
+"A detached party desiring to ascertain the position of the main body
+will signal as follows: A long smoke of a minute's duration; three short
+smokes, followed by half a minute's interval; two short smokes, with
+half a minute's interval; one short smoke, followed immediately by a
+long one. If the signal is observed, the reply will be the same. If no
+reply is received in five minutes, repeat from some other and, if
+possible, higher point, and so continue until an answering signal is
+seen."
+
+As the reader may not quite understand this, we will tell just how Bob
+made the signal. He allowed the column of smoke to ascend just one
+minute by his watch, then took a blanket from his shoulder and with a
+quick movement threw it over the smoldering pile, holding two of the
+corners tight to the ground, while his companion held the opposite
+corners. This, of course, confined the smoke so that no more arose. At
+the end of half a minute he raised the blanket three times in quick
+succession, and three balloon-shaped clouds floated off over the
+sandhills. Waiting half a minute, he lifted the blanket twice, and two
+more little clouds arose. At the end of another half a minute he
+permitted a single cloud to escape, and then threw the blanket off
+altogether; whereupon a long, slender column, like the one that arose
+when the fire was first started, shot up into the air. Then Bob seated
+himself on the ground and waited rather anxiously for a reply; but he
+was not obliged to wait long. Before the five minutes had elapsed an
+answering smoke was seen; and though it was a long distance off, the
+atmosphere was so clear, and the white clouds showed so plainly against
+the blue sky, that the signal could be plainly read. It was the same as
+the one Bob had just sent up, and so he knew that it was intended for
+him.
+
+This mode of signalling, which is usually called "telegraphing by
+smokes," is in general use among the Plains Indians, and it was from
+them that our army-officers serving on the border caught the idea. Of
+course they have a system of their own, which is very different from
+that of the Indians. The latter cannot read an army-signal, and neither
+can the officers, with all their striving and scheming, gain a key that
+will enable them to read the Indian code. It is as much of a mystery as
+the manner in which a chief conducts a drill of his warriors or controls
+them in battle without appearing to hold any communication with them.
+Both these secrets are closely guarded, the Indians considering that it
+would be "bad medicine" to reveal them to the white man.
+
+"Did you see the exact spot from which that smoke arose?" Bob asked of
+his companion.
+
+"Yes," answered the trooper.
+
+"Then fix it in your mind, so that you can point it out to George
+Ackerman. Now that our work is done we will go back to camp."
+
+Breakfast was soon despatched, and in less than half an hour the squad
+was again on the move, three of the troopers, in order to accommodate
+the rescued boys and the Indian captive, being obliged to "carry
+double." Their route lay along the edge of the bluff, within easy reach
+of water, only three halts being made--one for dinner, and two for the
+purpose of sending up signals to Captain Clinton. As his replies, which
+were promptly made, came from the same place, Bob became satisfied that
+the captain was waiting for him. Of course this caused much speculation
+among the troopers. Had the captain given up the pursuit, or had he
+overtaken and scattered the thieves and recovered Mr. Wentworth's stock?
+Bob was inclined to hold to the latter opinion.
+
+[Illustration: TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKE.]
+
+"The captain is a hard man to get away from when he once makes up his
+mind for business," said he; "and I just know that he's got those
+cattle, or the most of them. If he has, Mr. Wentworth is all right, for
+we have got his boys. If your theory is correct--and I begin to believe
+it is, for everything else has turned out just as you said it
+would--Lieutenant Earle will come out at the little end of the horn,
+won't he?"
+
+"Some officer almost always has to do that," answered George. "But the
+lieutenant will have some honor reflected upon him, if he doesn't win
+any for himself, for it was a portion of his own troop, commanded by one
+of his own non-commissioned officers, who rescued the boys."
+
+About two hours before sunset the troopers began to call one another's
+attention to the fact that the sandhills, among which they had been
+marching all day long, were growing less in number and height, and to
+congratulate themselves on drawing near to their journey's end. An hour
+later they came to the last hill, and as they were riding by it a sentry
+who had been stationed there presented himself to their view.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+"THREE CHEERS FOR THE 'BRINDLES'!"
+
+
+"Hallo, Buel!" exclaimed Bob, recognizing in the sentry one of his own
+company boys, "you'll let us in, won't you?"
+
+"Well, I _am_ beat!" replied the man. "Corporal, you're a brick. Three
+cheers for the 'Brindles'!"
+
+He stood in the "position of a soldier," with his carbine at a "carry,"
+and spoke in a low tone, for he knew that there were officers with
+field-glasses not far away, and that he had no business to exchange
+compliments with anybody after this fashion while he was on post. But
+when he saw the captive Indian and Mr. Wentworth's boys he could not
+restrain himself.
+
+"Bob, the boys ought to give you a benefit," he added.
+
+"We've got something to show for this scout, even if we are 'Brindles,'
+haven't we?" said the corporal, holding himself very stiffly in his
+saddle and looking straight before him, so as not to 'give the sentry
+away.' "Have you beaten us any?"
+
+"Not by a great sight."
+
+"What have you done, anyway?"
+
+"We've got the most of the stock back, but nary red. Where's Lieutenant
+Earle?"
+
+"Haven't seen him," answered Bob.
+
+"We haven't seen him either, nor have we heard from him since that
+courier arrived."
+
+The troopers now found themselves on the border of a wide plain, whose
+opposite side was bounded by a long line of willows, which fringed the
+banks of a water-course. On the edge of the willows were gathered the
+members of the main body, who, having been apprised by their sentinels
+of the approach of Bob and his party, had assembled to see them come in.
+Bob began to grow excited at once. He and his men had performed no
+ordinary exploit, and so impatient was he to have his success known to
+his comrades that he could not wait until he reached the camp to tell
+his story.
+
+"You fellows who carry double, ride out there and square yourselves
+around, so that they can see that we have not returned empty-handed,"
+commanded Bob, who forthwith proceeded to execute his own order by
+placing the three men who "carried double" one behind the other,
+broadside to the camp, so that the officers with their field-glasses
+could observe that each horse had two riders on his back. "I declare I
+feel like one of those old Roman conquerors--on a small scale; but in
+order to carry out the role I ought to make one end of a lariat fast to
+that Indian's neck and drag him into the camp, oughtn't I? That's the
+way the Romans used to do with their captives, only they chained them to
+their chariot-wheels. There you are!--Swing your caps, you kids, and
+holler, to let your father know you are here."
+
+The boys obeyed with alacrity, swinging their caps around their heads
+and laughing and shouting by turns, while the two soldiers behind whom
+they rode raised their own caps on the muzzles of their carbines and
+joined in with a wild soldier yell. George Ackerman kept watch of the
+camp through his glass to note the movements of its inmates and make
+reports of the manner in which this demonstration was received by them.
+
+"There's the captain," said he. "He is coming out in front of the men,
+in company with some of the officers. Now they are all looking at us
+through their glasses. Now the captain has taken down his glass and is
+saying something. Here they come!"
+
+It was evident that the captain had reported the result of his
+observations, for as George uttered these last words and lowered his
+glass the men broke into a run and dashed across the plain, raising
+their charging-yell as they came.
+
+"You fellows who carry double, take the post of honor," commanded Bob;
+"ride at the head of the squad.--Say, boys," he added, facing about in
+his saddle and speaking to the men behind him, "look out for Wentworth.
+There was a look in his eye the last time I saw him that I didn't at all
+like, and when he finds out that we have captured one of the Indians, he
+may--"
+
+"There he comes now!" exclaimed one of the troopers.
+
+Bob looked toward the camp, and saw that his man had not been mistaken.
+Behind the troopers, who were still running forward to meet their
+returning comrades, but rapidly overhauling them with every jump of his
+horse, was the father of the rescued boys. He rode without saddle,
+bridle or hat, his long hair was streaming straight out behind him, he
+carried in his hand the rifle with which he had done such deadly work
+while he was defending his home, and he was constantly digging his heels
+into the sides of his horse, as if he were trying to make him go faster.
+The man could have but one object in view: that was Bob's opinion, and
+it must have been Captain Clinton's opinion too, judging by his actions.
+The latter had raised both hands to his face and stood with his head
+thrown back, as if he were shouting out some orders; but if he gave any
+they were drowned in the lusty cheers of the approaching troopers, who
+ran as if they were engaged in a foot-race.
+
+"That man certainly means mischief," said George.
+
+"I am sure of it," replied the corporal. "But I should act in just the
+same way if I were in his place. I'd put an end to that Indian in spite
+of all the soldiers that ever wore the 'honored blue;' but that, I know,
+would be very wrong, for this red imp is one of the government wards,
+and nobody must presume to lay an ugly hand on him."
+
+"What would be done with Mr. Wentworth if he should shoot your
+prisoner?" asked George.
+
+"'What would be done with him?'" repeated Bob, bitterly. "Why, he would
+be put in arrest before he could say 'Jerusalem!' and the agent of the
+Kiowas would insist on his being tried for murder, notwithstanding the
+fact that this same Indian was one of the party that burned Mr.
+Wentworth's house and carried his children into captivity. Why, George,
+unless you are posted you have no idea--But I will tell you a short
+story by and by. Just now I must attend to our friend Mr. Wentworth.
+Stand by me, for I believe I shall need a helping hand before I get
+through with him."
+
+While this conversation was going on Bob had kept a watchful eye upon
+the movements of Mr. Wentworth, who had by this time passed the troopers
+and was guiding his horse so as to come up on the left flank of Bob's
+squad. As soon as the latter became satisfied that this was the man's
+intention, he rode out of the line and placed himself beside the captive
+Indian, who was riding on Loring's horse and was by no means an
+uninterested spectator of what passed before him. He too was keeping his
+gaze directed toward Mr. Wentworth, whom he doubtless recognized.
+
+"White man very angry--heap mad--as mad, in fact, as a wet hen," said
+Bob, trying to imitate an Indian's way of talking, but making a sad mess
+of it in his excitement. "He's mad at you for carrying his boys off, and
+he's going to shoot you dead--heap dead--as dead as a door-nail; and
+he'll serve you just right, too."
+
+"I hope he won't miss the red and hit me," said Loring.
+
+"You needn't be afraid of that, for these Texans are all good shots,"
+answered Bob; adding in a lower tone, "I'll just tell you what's a fact,
+Loring: I wouldn't interfere with him if I could help it."
+
+The young savage understood what Bob said, but not a muscle of his face
+changed. If he had been an old warrior, he would probably have begun his
+death-chant; but having performed no deeds of which he could boast, he
+remained silent and calmly awaited the fate that would have been
+inevitable had it not been for George Ackerman's skill in horsemanship.
+
+The animal on which Mr. Wentworth was mounted was evidently accustomed
+to being ridden without a bridle, for his master guided him with the
+greatest ease. When he had almost reached the squad he suddenly swerved
+from his course, in obedience to a signal conveyed to him by a quick
+movement of his rider's body, and galloping swiftly around the head of
+the line stopped short on the other flank. By this unexpected change of
+tactics the enraged father had gained a position on the unguarded side
+of the prisoner, and if he had acted as soon as his horse came to a
+standstill he would have accomplished his purpose in spite of
+everything; but he could not resist the temptation to talk for just a
+moment, and that moment's delay defeated him. Cocking his rifle with
+great deliberation, he said fiercely,
+
+"You have eaten salt in my house, you have slept by my fire, you have
+drunk from my spring when you were thirsty, you Indian dog, and now--"
+
+When the man had gone thus far rage choked his utterance, and he could
+not say another word. He drew his rifle to his shoulder, but the muzzle,
+instead of covering the head of the Indian, covered the person of George
+Ackerman, who was coming toward him with all the speed his horse could
+put forth.
+
+The boy had sprung into life and activity the instant he witnessed Mr.
+Wentworth's cunning manoeuvre, for he knew what it meant. Giving a pull
+at his left rein, at the same time touching his horse lightly with the
+spurs, the animal wheeled like a flash on his hind feet, and, dashing
+through the line behind Bob Owens (some of the troopers afterward
+declared that he jumped clear over Bob's horse), brought his rider to
+the right side of the Indian just in time to intercept the deadly aim.
+In another second George had seized the rifle with both hands, and a
+terrific struggle began between him and Mr. Wentworth for the possession
+of the weapon. In less time than it takes to tell it the man, having no
+stirrups to support him, was jerked off his horse, and before he could
+recover himself and plant his feet firmly on the ground the rifle was
+twisted out of his grasp, and the bullet contained in the chamber was
+sent whistling harmlessly off over the sandhills.
+
+"No more of that!" exclaimed Bob, who rode up just half a minute too
+late to be of any assistance. "Keep quiet now, or you'll go back to camp
+with a guard over you."
+
+"Mr. Wentworth," said George, bending down from his saddle and laying
+his hand upon the angry man's shoulder, "your good sense must tell you
+that the corporal can't stand peaceably by and see his prisoner shot.
+What are you thinking of?"
+
+"Give me that gun," panted Mr. Wentworth, who was white to the lips and
+trembling in every limb. "I'll--I'll--"
+
+"You'll do nothing but behave yourself," interrupted Bob. "You can't
+have that rifle again until Captain Clinton says so, for you don't know
+how to act when you have it in your hands; you point it around too loose
+and reckless. Haven't you something besides revenge to think of now?
+Can't you see that we have brought your boys back to you safe and
+sound?"
+
+The man's face softened at once. Tears came to his eyes, and darting
+quickly around Bob's horse he ran up to his children, and, pulling them
+both to the ground at once, folded them in his arms. But we will not say
+any more about that meeting, will we? The joy of a family reunited under
+circumstances like these is something too sacred to be intruded upon
+even by a sympathizing pen, isn't it? Even the troopers, some of whom
+had witnessed many an affecting scene, could not stand it, but turned
+away their heads and drew their hands hastily across their eyes, as if
+to brush away something that seemed to be obscuring their vision. One of
+them caught Mr. Wentworth's horse, and after the latter had mounted and
+taken his boys up with him, one in front and the other behind, the squad
+continued its march toward the camp.
+
+When Bob came to look in front of him, he found that the appearance of
+things had changed somewhat. The comrades who had started out to meet
+him were no longer advancing in a compact body. They had halted and
+drawn themselves up in two parallel lines, facing each other, and
+leaving room enough between them for Bob and his squad to pass through.
+
+"Hallo!" exclaimed the delighted corporal. "The boys have got up a
+reception for us, and we must meet it in good shape.--Attention, squad!
+Draw sabres!--Loring, ride on ahead with Mr. Wentworth.--George, come up
+on my right."
+
+When these orders were issued the men promptly fell into line,
+conversation ceased on the instant, tobacco was knocked out of pipes
+that had but just been filled, carbines were adjusted in
+soldier-fashion, caps that had been worn with the peak behind were
+turned right side in front, and twelve bright blades leaped from their
+scabbards. In this order the successful troopers rode by their comrades,
+who cheered them loudly, and then fell in behind and followed them into
+camp, marching in column of fours. Bob at once rode up to Captain
+Clinton's fire, and dismounted to make his report, which he did in this
+way:
+
+"I have the honor, sir, to report that we surprised five Indians in camp
+last night, captured one, killed three and released Mr. Wentworth's
+boys."
+
+"Good for you, corporal!" exclaimed the captain, his astonishment
+getting the better of him for the moment. "Anybody hurt on your side?"
+
+"One wounded, sir. Private Carey received a knife-thrust in the right
+arm while assisting Private Loring to capture the Indian."
+
+"Very good," said the captain, resuming his official tones and dignity
+at the same time. "Stake out your horses, and then come back here. I
+want to hear all the particulars. What was the cause of that disturbance
+out there on the plain?"
+
+"I was the cause of it, cap, you bet," exclaimed Mr. Wentworth, whose
+face did not look much as it did when he galloped out to meet Bob and
+his squad. Then it was disturbed with passion; now it was beaming with
+joy. "I'd ha' sent that Injin to the happy land o' Canaan in a little
+less than the shake of a buck's tail if Ackerman hadn't stopped me, you
+bet."
+
+"It was a good thing for you that he did stop you," said the captain
+quietly. "You would have brought yourself into serious trouble by such a
+proceeding."
+
+"I know that," said Mr. Wentworth, "but who cares for trouble when his
+dander's up? Say, cap, may I have my rifle? Ackerman took it away from
+me."
+
+"You may have it on condition that you will make no more attempts on the
+life of this prisoner," replied the captain. "There is a law to deal
+with such fellows as he is."
+
+"Where in the world is it, I'd like to know?" exclaimed Mr. Wentworth
+fiercely. "It hasn't got out here to Texas yet. If I had shot him, as I
+meant to do, you would have had a guard over me in no time; but he came
+with a band of his friends and set fire to my house, and carried off my
+little boys, and killed my herdsmen, and drove off my stock; and you,
+knowing it all, stand here, with your hundred and twenty blue-coats,
+and tell me that I must not touch him. Your colonel will give him up
+when his agent makes a demand for him, and he'll go back to his
+reservation, and the government will feed him on good food and give him
+good clothes, and some rascally trader will sell him more powder and
+balls to kill white folks with; but if _I_--Dog-gone my
+buttons!--Ackerman, give me that rifle."
+
+It was plain that Mr. Wentworth's "dander" was still "up"--'way up. The
+listening troopers exchanged glances of approval with one another, and
+would have cheered him if they had dared. Being a civilian, the man was
+at liberty to talk pretty much as he pleased; but if one of their own
+number had made such an exhibition of temper in the presence of an
+officer, he would have been punished for it.
+
+"We will not discuss that matter," said the captain calmly. "I know my
+business and attend to it strictly, leaving the agents to look out for
+their own affairs. They are not responsible to me, or to you either, for
+the manner in which they do the work entrusted to them."
+
+"All right, cap," said Mr. Wentworth, picking up one of his boys and
+then lowering him carefully to the ground. "Mum is the word, if you say
+so. But I haven't heard you tell Ackerman to give me that rifle yet."
+
+"Neither have I heard you make that promise," was the reply.
+
+"Well, I'll make it, but I tell you I hate to, mightily."
+
+The captain smiled, and nodded to George, who rode up and handed over
+the Winchester.
+
+"She's a good one, cap, and when she speaks she means business--_she_
+does," said Mr. Wentworth, holding the recovered weapon off at arm's
+length and gazing at it with admiring eyes. "She is sure death on
+Kiowas, for she knows I have got something ag'inst them. She rubbed out
+ten of 'em during the last fight she was in, and she'll spoil the good
+looks of many more of them before I hand her over to my oldest boy for
+good.--Put her on your shoulder, Sheldon, and come on."
+
+Lifting his youngest child in his arms, Mr. Wentworth walked away,
+Sheldon marching proudly by his side with the rifle on his shoulder, and
+the horse following quietly at his heels. Then Bob and George rode away
+with the squad, the troopers gradually dispersed, and the captain and
+his officers went back to the blankets on which they had been dozing
+away the time while waiting for Corporal Owens.
+
+If it had not been for the fact that he had nearly a thousand head of
+recaptured stock on his hands, the captain would have set out for the
+fort at once; but it is almost impossible to drive Texas cattle during
+the night, for they are about half wild, anyway, and as easily stampeded
+as a herd of buffaloes. Under favorable circumstances two men who
+understand their business can take care of a herd of five hundred of
+them; but this stock which the captain had just recovered from the
+Indians had grown so unmanageable during the short time they had been in
+the possession of the raiders, who had pushed them ahead night and day
+at their greatest speed, that it took thirty well-mounted troopers to
+keep them within bounds. If they became quieted down during the night,
+the captain intended to set out for the fort with the main body of his
+men early the next morning, leaving a few of his troopers to assist Mr.
+Wentworth to drive the cattle in.
+
+"I say, corporal," exclaimed Carey as Bob led his squad away, "where
+does Wentworth hang out? What mess does he grub with?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Bob. "I saw him going toward the other end of
+the camp."
+
+"Now, such work as that won't do," continued Carey. "He'll go up there
+among those high-toned Grays or Blacks, and they will honey around those
+boys of his and make much of them, and cut us Brindles completely out of
+their good graces. They belong to us, and they ought to stay with us;
+don't you say so?"
+
+Bob replied that he did say so.
+
+"Can't we bring them into our mess?" asked Carey.
+
+"You can try. I'll take care of your horse if you want to make the
+attempt."
+
+Carey at once dismounted, and started back toward the upper end of the
+camp, and Bob rode on to find the place where his troop had staked out
+their horses. While he is looking for it we will explain what the words
+"Grays," "Blacks" and "Brindles," as used by Private Carey, meant.
+
+One of the first things to be done in a new regiment of cavalry, or in
+an old one that has just been remounted, is to "color the horses." We
+mean by this that the animals are divided into lots according to their
+color, the blacks being placed in one lot, the grays in another, the
+whites in another, and so on. After these divisions are made there are
+always some "off" horses, such as roans and browns, which are put into a
+lot by themselves and called the "brindles." The ranking captain then
+makes his choice of the colors. For the sake of illustration, we will
+suppose that he prefers to have his company mounted on black horses. He
+first takes the finest animal in the lot for his own use, his first
+lieutenant comes next, the second lieutenant next, the first sergeant
+next, and so on down through all the sergeants and corporals, each one
+selecting according to his rank. Then those of the privates who have
+proved themselves to be the best soldiers are called up one by one, and
+after they have made their selections the shirks and grumblers, like
+Bristow and Gus Robbins, have to take those that are left.
+
+The captain who is second in command makes the next choice of colors,
+and his horses are distributed in the same way. The whites are generally
+chosen next to the last, not because they are not as good or as handsome
+as the others, but for the reason that it is harder work for the men to
+keep them clean, and in action they present conspicuous marks for the
+rifles of the enemy. "The brindles," the horses of all colors and of no
+color at all to speak of, are the only ones left, and the lowest company
+commander must take them because he has no choice. He does not like
+them, and neither do his men, because the troop that is doomed to ride
+them cannot make so fine appearance on dress-parade as the others do,
+and for the reason that the Brindles are the butt of all the jokes that
+old soldiers can play upon one another. When we have said that we have
+said a good deal, for if there is any mischief that a lot of veterans
+will not think of when they have a leisure hour on their hands, we don't
+know what it is.
+
+When the horses were "colored" at Fort Lamoine the brindles fell to the
+lot of Lieutenant Earle, as he was the lowest company commander, all the
+others being captains. This was the troop to which Bob Owens belonged,
+and, in common with its other members, he had suffered from the
+practical jokes that had been played upon him by the more fortunate
+troopers. But of late these jokes were not as frequent as they had
+formerly been, for the "Brindles" had proved themselves to be the best
+of soldiers. When their achievements were taken into consideration they
+led every troop in the garrison. They had gallantly borne their part in
+every duty they were called on to perform, their non-commissioned
+officers had invariably been successful when sent out in pursuit of
+deserters, and now one of them had done something for which the members
+of his regiment were glad to honor him in the way we have described.
+During the rest of Bob's life at Fort Lamoine but little was said about
+the despised Brindles; but if any trooper _did_ forget himself and make
+disparaging remarks concerning them or their "ringed, streaked and
+striped" horses, some listening Brindle would promptly interrupt him
+with--
+
+"Look here, Bub, we didn't enlist to show ourselves off on dress-parade.
+When you Blacks" (or Grays or Chestnuts, as the case might be, the
+offending trooper being designated by the color of the horses on which
+his company was mounted) "have followed an Indian trail across the
+Staked Plains, and been burned up by an August sun, and had your mouths
+and throats filled so full of sand that you couldn't tell the truth for
+a whole month, and have surprised a party of hostiles in their camp,
+and rescued two prisoners alive and unharmed,--when you have done all
+that, you can talk; until then hold your yawp. That feat has never been
+accomplished but once in the Department of Texas, and then it was
+accomplished by _our_ boys, the Brindles of the ----th Cavalry."
+
+Bob and his men were proud of that exploit, and, what was more, they did
+not mean to be robbed of any of the honor they had won. That was one
+reason why they wanted to bring Mr. Wentworth and his boys into their
+mess. They supposed they were going back to the fort with Captain
+Clinton's command, and they wanted to carry those boys through the gate
+themselves. But, as it happened, the captain had decided upon something
+else, and by that decision had unconsciously given Bob's lucky squad of
+Brindles an opportunity to add to their laurels. We shall see what use
+they made of it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+MORE BAD LUCK FOR MR. WENTWORTH.
+
+
+While Bob and his men were staking out their horses they were besieged
+by anxious Brindles who wanted to know just where they had been and what
+they had done during their absence. No incident connected with the
+experience of their successful comrades was deemed too trivial for their
+notice. Bob and the rest answered their questions as fast as they were
+able, and asked a good many in return. They learned that Captain Clinton
+had fallen in with the stolen cattle about one o'clock that morning, but
+the Indians they had hoped to find with them were not to be seen. The
+captain had pursued them so closely that they did not have time to drive
+the stock into the Staked Plains, to die there of thirst, and neither
+did they harass the column, as George said they would. Their force was
+too small to accomplish anything by it. The captain had spent all the
+forenoon in gathering up the stock, and it was now feeding on the
+prairie close by, guarded by a large squad of troopers.
+
+"I'll tell you what's a fact, boys," said one of the Brindles. "This
+raid must have been a big thing, for just after you left us we struck
+the trail of a large drove that joined ours, and a little farther on we
+found another. But they were both older than our own, so the scout said,
+and the drove we followed was left behind as a sort of bait for us to
+swallow, while the main herd was driven off."
+
+"Why didn't you go on after the main herd?" asked Bob.
+
+"It would have been of no use. It had too much of a start; and besides,
+we have already got just as much on our hands as we can attend to. We
+have been all day gathering up the cattle we have got, and it is just
+all we can do to hold fast to them. The fellows up there must attend to
+the rest."
+
+By "the fellows up there" the troopers meant to indicate the cavalry
+attached to the several posts north of the Staked Plains.
+
+When Bob went back to the captain's head-quarters, George, being a
+privileged character, went with him. The officer questioned them
+closely in regard to their movements, took copious notes to assist him
+in making out his report to the colonel, and by the time he got through
+he came to the conclusion that the two young men deserved especial
+mention for the skill and courage they had exhibited. He rewarded them
+on the spot by giving them more work to do--some that was not supposed
+to have any danger in it, but which, nevertheless, gave them an
+opportunity to show whether the success that had attended them during
+their last scout was owing to good luck or good management.
+
+"I am more than satisfied, because you have accomplished more than I
+expected of you," said the captain as he put his note-book into his
+pocket. "As you will probably have some hard riding to do to-morrow, I
+will see that you are allowed a good night's rest."
+
+"Are we going back to the fort in the morning, sir?" asked George.
+
+Although Bob was fully as anxious as his companion was to know what the
+captain meant by saying that he and his squad would probably have some
+hard riding to do the next day, he never would have dared to ask such a
+question; and if he had, the officer, if he had made any reply at all,
+would very likely have told him that he would find out all about it in
+due time. But he expressed no surprise at George's inquisitiveness.
+
+"_I_ am going back to fort," said he, "but you and the corporal will
+have to stay and help Mr. Wentworth with the cattle. You will be of more
+use to him, George, than half a dozen green hands, for you know how to
+drive stock and can act as instructor to the rest. You know where
+Holmes's ranche is, I suppose? Well, I shall want the corporal to stay
+with Mr. Wentworth until he gets there, and then you will have to guide
+the squad to the fort. If you should happen to meet any raiders on the
+way, why take them in," added the captain with a smile.--"Corporal, is
+Carey badly hurt?"
+
+"He grumbles a good deal, sir, but I think it is more from anger than
+pain."
+
+"Perhaps you had better take a man in his place and let him go to the
+fort with us, so that the doctor can look at his arm," said the captain.
+
+"I tell you there is nothing like having friends at court," said Bob as
+he and George walked away. "Until you came among us I didn't know that
+these officers could be so very friendly and good-natured. Why, George,
+if I knew the country as well as you do, and could get scout's pay, I
+would stay in the army all my life. We have got a sort of roving
+commission now, and I hope we can do something with it before we go back
+to the fort."
+
+Details for such duties as this which had just been assigned to Corporal
+Owens are about the only recreations that fall to the lot of a private
+soldier on the Plains, and they are eagerly sought after. Being almost
+always commanded by a sergeant or corporal who has proved to the
+satisfaction of his superiors that he can be trusted, the men never fail
+to enjoy themselves to the fullest extent. It is a great relief to them
+to be entirely out of reach of their Argus-eyed officers, who are so
+prompt to take them to task for the least neglect of duty.
+
+When they reached the place where the Brindles were encamped, they found
+that Carey had been successful in his mission. He had brought Mr.
+Wentworth and his boys back with him, and the troopers were crowded
+about them listening to Sheldon's account of his experience among the
+Kiowas.
+
+"Get all you can out of them, boys," exclaimed Bob, "for you will not
+see them after to-night."
+
+"Why won't we?" asked half a dozen troopers at once.
+
+"Because they are not going to the fort. They are going to Holmes's
+ranche, wherever that is, and we're going to see them safely there with
+the stock."
+
+"We? who?"
+
+"Our same old squad--all except Carey."
+
+The owner of that name, whose face had lighted up with pleasure, jumped
+to his feet with an angry exclamation. "What do you mean by that,
+corporal?" he demanded.
+
+"It's no fault of mine, Carey," replied Bob. "The captain thinks you had
+better go to the fort, so that the doctor can look at your wound."
+
+Carey made no reply, but elbowed his way through the crowd and started
+toward the other end of the camp. In a few minutes he was standing in
+front of Captain Clinton with his hand to his cap.
+
+"What is it, Carey?" asked that officer after he had returned the
+salute.
+
+"My respects to you, sir," answered the trooper, "and, if I might take
+the liberty, I'd like to know why I am to be left behind while the rest
+of our squad goes off on a picnic with them cattle?"
+
+"Why, you are wounded," said the captain.
+
+"Just a little scratch, sir," protested the trooper. "But even if I had
+no right arm at all, I could ride and shoot, and when it came to yelling
+I'd be there too."
+
+"Very good. If you think you can stand it, go on."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I knew you wouldn't go back on old Carey. I've been in
+every muss my troop has been in, and nobody ever hinted that I didn't do
+my duty."
+
+The captain nodded his head and waved his hand in token of dismissal,
+and the trooper hurried away.
+
+Up to this time George Ackerman had always messed with the officers, but
+that night he took supper with Bob's squad, because both he and they
+considered that he belonged to it. During the progress of the meal he
+reminded the corporal that the latter had promised to tell him a story.
+
+"Oh yes," said Bob, after thinking a moment. "I was telling you, I
+believe, that if Mr. Wentworth killed that Indian he would be arrested
+and tried for murder. Well, that's an Indian's idea of justice, and it
+seems to be the agents' idea too. The Indians think they have a perfect
+right to kill and scalp whenever they feel like it, but if a white man
+kills one of them it is an awful thing. If they can't get hold of the
+man who did the shooting or any of his relations, they look to the
+government for pay. On a certain occasion a scouting-party of ten men
+was surprised and utterly wiped out. The surprise was so complete that
+every one of the party was killed at the first fire, with the exception
+of a corporal, who had just time to knock over two of the reds before he
+too was shot. Shortly afterward a peace was patched up, and a band of
+braves came in, bringing with them an old woman for whom they asked a
+government pension because her two sons had fallen in battle. Inquiries
+were made, and it turned out that these two sons were the very Indians
+who had been killed by the corporal. What do you think of such
+impudence?"
+
+George did not know what to think of it, and probably the reader doesn't
+either; but this very incident is on record.
+
+By daylight the next morning the camp was deserted. The main body of the
+troops was riding rapidly toward Fort Lamoine, and a few miles behind it
+came the herd which Captain Clinton had recaptured. It was moving
+leisurely along in front of Mr. Wentworth and George, who controlled it
+with less difficulty than the rest of the squad would have experienced
+in managing a dozen cattle. Behind them came Bob and his men, with the
+two boys, who were mounted on a couple of their father's horses which
+had been found with the herd. George's quick eye had already noticed
+that there were at least half a dozen different brands among the cattle,
+and he told himself that when the animals bearing these brands had been
+delivered up to their lawful owners, Mr. Wentworth would have very
+little stock left.
+
+Bob and his troopers enjoyed this "picnic" by being lazy. They had
+nothing to do worth speaking of but to follow along in the rear of the
+herd and talk to the boys, the most of the work being performed by
+George and Mr. Wentworth, who during the first part of the journey
+managed the cattle both day and night. They offered to assist in any way
+they could, but the practised herders did not need them, and besides,
+they were afraid to trust them.
+
+"I don't want to lose these steers and horses again, after all the
+trouble I have had to get them," Mr. Wentworth always replied. "I know
+you are good soldiers, or else you couldn't have got my boys back for
+me; but you can't herd cattle. The least awkward movement on your part
+would send them galloping back toward the Staked Plains again. Wait
+until they get over their fright, and then you can try your hands at
+guarding them during the night."
+
+On the afternoon of the fifth day Bob noticed that George's field-glass
+was often brought into requisition both by himself and Mr. Wentworth,
+and on riding forward to inquire the cause of it, he was informed that
+they were looking for Mr. Taylor's ranche.
+
+"And who is Mr. Taylor?" was Bob's next question.
+
+"He is one of Mr. Wentworth's neighbors who was raided by the Indians.
+We know it, for we have some of his cattle with us; but whether or not
+they did him any damage beyond stealing his stock, we don't know; and we
+can't tell, either, until we find his house if it is still standing, or
+the ruins of it if it has been destroyed."
+
+"Then we must be getting pretty near our journey's end," said Bob, whose
+arms and shoulders began to ache when he thought of the tedious routine
+of drill and guard-duty upon which he must enter as soon as he returned
+to the fort.
+
+"I don't know what you mean by _near_," replied George. "The fort is all
+of a hundred and fifty miles from here, and we are not going toward it.
+We are going toward Holmes's ranche; and even if we have the best of
+luck, it will take us two weeks to get there."
+
+"That sounds better," said Bob, who was greatly relieved. "When you
+spoke of Mr. Wentworth's neighbors, I was afraid that our
+pleasure-excursion was about to be brought to an end, for he doesn't
+live so _very_ far from the fort, you know."
+
+"It's just over there," shouted Mr. Wentworth at this moment. "I see
+cattle, and that proves that the raiders didn't scoop Taylor as they did
+me. Now look sharp; we've got rounding out enough to do already."
+
+"What does he mean by that?" asked Bob.
+
+"He means that we mustn't allow our cattle to mix in with Mr. Taylor's,
+for if we do we shall have to round them all out again. By 'rounding
+out' we mean separating the different herds from each other; and that is
+something that none but good herdsmen can do. It requires skill and a
+big stock of patience, I tell you. Just let a few green hands try it,
+and see how much they would make at it. Why, they would scare the cattle
+so that they would run clear out of the State."
+
+Although Mr. Wentworth had declared that Mr. Taylor's ranche was "just
+over there," our friends did not reach it that day, nor until late in
+the afternoon of the next. Before they got there they knew just what Mr.
+Taylor's experience with the Kiowa raiders had been, for they had passed
+two or three of his herds, whose keepers had told them all about it. The
+Indians had suddenly made their appearance, coming from the south, and
+driving before them a large number of cattle; and although they had not
+come within five miles of Mr. Taylor's ranche, they had picked up one of
+his small herds which happened to be in their path.
+
+Our friends camped that night close by Mr. Taylor's ranche, which proved
+to be a perfect little fort. It was built of heavy stone, was well
+supplied with provisions, and defended by five stalwart fellows who were
+armed with Winchester rifles. The raiders would have had a nice time of
+it if they had come there. The owner listened in great surprise to Mr.
+Wentworth's story, made much of his boys, and would not let him and
+George "round out" the stock that bore his brand.
+
+"You're welcome to the steers, neighbor," said he. "I've got more left
+than I can take care of if the Kiowas bounce me as earnestly as they did
+you, and you will need them to help you start a new herd."
+
+This same thing was repeated by every one of the half a dozen other
+ranchemen to whom Mr. Wentworth offered to surrender their stock. They
+all sympathized with him, and wanted to aid him by every means in their
+power. The result was, that our friends arrived within one day's march
+of their journey's end with just as many cattle as they had when they
+left the Staked Plains. Although Mr. Wentworth had been "completely
+cleaned out," he was still worth something like twenty thousand dollars.
+
+George and his party made their last camp a short distance from the
+cabin of a squatter, who rode over to see them during the evening. He
+went home about ten o'clock, and George and his companions lay down on
+their blankets, leaving the herd to the care of four mounted troopers.
+The latter, who during the journey had exhibited the greatest eagerness
+to learn something of the mysteries of cattle-herding, had so far
+progressed in knowledge and skill as to be able to stand guard at night,
+and to give George and Mr. Wentworth an opportunity to obtain the rest
+of which they began to stand so much in need. About midnight George
+mounted his horse and rode around the herd to assure himself that
+everything was just as it should be. He went on horseback, because
+everybody rides while working about Texas cattle. If a man should
+venture among them on foot during the daytime, his life would be in
+danger; and if he went around them at night, he would probably stampede
+the whole herd.
+
+"All serene," said Loring, who was the first guard George encountered
+during his rounds. "The moon shines so brightly that I can see the
+movements of every steer in the drove."
+
+"If we were a little nearer the river perhaps things wouldn't be quite
+so serene," answered George. "The Mexicans take just such a night as
+this for their raids."
+
+About an hour after George had retired to his blanket Loring noticed
+that the cattle began to show signs of uneasiness. Those that were
+standing up began to move about, those that were lying down arose and
+moved about with them, and presently the whole herd was in motion. The
+cattle did not attempt to run away, but walked restlessly about, as if
+they were unable to find a place that suited them.
+
+"Suke, thing! suke, thing!" said Loring coaxingly.
+
+The travelled reader would have said at once that Loring was a
+Southerner; and if he could have heard Phillips on the other side of the
+cattle trying to soothe them with "Co-boss! co-boss!" he would have said
+that Phillips was from the North. But the cattle did not understand
+either of them, or if they did they paid no attention to them. Their
+restlessness increased every moment, and finally Loring, good soldier
+though he was, deserted his post and started for camp as fast as he
+could make his horse walk.
+
+"Ackerman," said he in an excited voice, "get up. There is something
+wrong with those cattle."
+
+George was on his feet in an instant. One glance at the herd was enough.
+
+"I should say there was something wrong!" he exclaimed. "How long has
+this thing been going on?"
+
+"Not more than five minutes."
+
+"Which way are they looking," continued George.
+
+"Every way, but the most of them keep their heads in that direction,"
+said Loring, waving his arm toward the south.
+
+"Call everybody in camp while I speak to Bob and Mr. Wentworth. No noise
+now. I am afraid we are going to have trouble."
+
+In less than two minutes all the troopers had been aroused, and George
+was holding an earnest consultation with Mr. Wentworth and the corporal.
+"I've seen cattle act that way before," said he, speaking as rapidly as
+he could make his tongue move, for time was precious; "and if we were a
+little nearer the river I could easily tell what is the matter with
+them; but I never heard of the Greasers coming so far into the country
+as this, and it may be nothing but nervousness that's troubling them.
+My advice would be to mount the men and move them quietly in line on the
+north side of the herd, and perhaps by making such a show of numbers we
+can keep them within bounds until they are quieted down.--What do you
+say, Mr. Wentworth?"
+
+"It is the only thing that can be done," replied Mr. Wentworth, who
+seemed to be greatly excited and alarmed; "and even that is a slim
+chance.--Make haste, corporal. Do all you can for me, for if I lose this
+herd I shall be ruined, sure enough."
+
+"Catch up!" commanded Bob.
+
+"Look here," said George, seizing his friend by the shoulder and
+speaking with all the earnestness he could throw into his tones: "if you
+get in line in front of those cattle, and they start to run toward you,
+don't try to stop them, for you can't do it, any more than we could stop
+those buffaloes the other night. Run before them, and gradually draw off
+to the right or left of them, and you will get safely off; otherwise
+they will certainly run over you. But I am afraid it is too late to do
+anything," added George as he noted the increasing restlessness of the
+cattle.
+
+"It is too late! it is too late!" exclaimed Mr. Wentworth, rubbing his
+hands nervously together. "There they go!"
+
+Even as he spoke a noise like the rumbling of distant thunder sounded in
+their ears, and instantly the whole herd made off at the top of its
+speed. Looking over the mass of horns and tails that was tossed wildly
+in the air, the troopers were horrified to see Phillips standing
+directly in front of it. Being fully determined to do his duty to the
+utmost, the brave fellow sat in his saddle, swinging his arms about his
+head, and no doubt shouting at the top of his voice to stop the advance
+of the frightened herd, which was bearing down upon him with the
+resistless power of an avalanche.
+
+"The man is crazy!" cried George in great alarm. Then, raising both
+hands to his face and using them as a speaking-trumpet, he yelled, with
+all the power of his lungs,
+
+"Run! run for your life!"
+
+Phillips afterward said that he did not hear what George said to him--in
+fact, he couldn't hear anything but the noise of those hoofs--but,
+seeing that if he remained where he was his death was certain, he
+wheeled his horse and fled with the speed of the wind. The last his
+friends saw of him was as he dashed over the top of a ridge, with the
+stampeded cattle close behind him. When they were all out of sight and
+the rumble of their hoofs had died away in the distance, the troopers
+turned to look at Mr. Wentworth. He stood with his hands in his pockets
+gazing disconsolately in the direction in which the herd had
+disappeared, but had nothing to say.
+
+"Now, here's a go!" whispered Bob, giving George a nudge in the ribs
+with his elbow. "What am I to do? This is something Captain Clinton
+didn't think to provide for, isn't it? I was ordered to go to Holmes's
+ranche with Mr. Wentworth, but I wasn't told to follow up and collect
+his cattle if they were stampeded."
+
+"You mustn't think of following them up," said George decidedly. "There
+is no man in the world who could get that same herd together again, for
+it will join others as soon as it gets over its fright; and how could we
+tell these cattle from others bearing the same brand? They are gone, and
+that's all there is of it. You must mount at once and see if you can
+find anything of Phillips."
+
+"All right!--Mr. Wentworth," said Bob, "we are very sorry for the loss
+you have sustained, but we have done all we could for you."
+
+"I know it, corporal, and I am very grateful to you and to the captain,
+who was kind enough to send you with me. Such things as these will
+happen sometimes, in spite of everything. Now I hardly know what to do."
+
+Neither would anybody else have known what to do under the same
+circumstances. Mr. Wentworth had no home, no property except his rifle
+and the horses he and his boys rode, no work to do, and but little to
+eat in his haversack. It was a trying situation for a man who but a few
+days before had been worth a fortune, and almost any one would have been
+disheartened.
+
+"I'll tell you what you can do," said George. "You can easily find your
+way to the Ackerman settlement, and if you go there and give Mr. Gilbert
+a note of introduction which I will write for you, he will take care of
+you until you can decide upon something."
+
+George did not feel at liberty to tell Mr. Wentworth all he had on his
+mind. As soon as he returned to the fort he intended to write to his
+guardian, asking him if he might furnish Mr. Wentworth with a
+sufficient number of cattle from his own herds to give the impoverished
+man a new start in life. Of course Mr. Wentworth had a few cattle of his
+own among those that had just run off, but it would take some time to
+gather them up; and as he would not want to be troubled with his boys
+while he was engaged in the work, George intended to ask Mr. Gilbert to
+take care of them during their father's absence, and to lend Mr.
+Wentworth a few good herdsmen to assist him in getting his stock
+together. While he was thinking about it, and before Mr. Wentworth could
+thank him for his generous offer, something happened which told them
+very plainly that the stampede that had just taken place was not owing
+to the nervousness of the cattle, but to the presence of those of whom
+George Ackerman had every reason to stand in fear.
+
+Their attention was first attracted by some unusual sound. They could
+not have told what it was or from which direction it came, but they all
+heard it, and waited for it to be repeated, that they might locate and
+define it. There was a moment's silence, and then a chorus of wild yells
+arose on the night air, accompanied by the rapid discharge of firearms.
+The troopers looked at one another in blank amazement, and then at
+George, who was not long in assigning a cause for the disturbance.
+
+"The Greasers are attacking the squatter," he exclaimed; and he was
+quite as much astonished to be called upon to say it as the troopers
+were to hear it. It must be a strong and daring band that would venture
+so far into the country, and almost involuntarily George whispered the
+name of Fletcher. Bob was quick to decide upon his course. He knew just
+what Captain Clinton would expect of him if he were there.
+
+"Mr. Wentworth," said he, "we must lend that man a helping hand. As you
+can't go with us on account of your boys, you will have to look out for
+yourself and them."
+
+"And I am just the man who can do it," replied Mr. Wentworth. "Good-bye
+and good luck to you! Shoot hard, and shoot to hit."
+
+"How cool and confident he is! I wish I had half his courage," thought
+Bob as he ordered his men into their saddles, following it up with the
+commands, "Forward! Trot! gallop!"
+
+The troopers fell into line as they moved off, and a few yards in
+advance of them rode George and Bob. The former could easily have taken
+the lead if he had desired to do so, but, knowing that he did not
+command the squad, he curbed his impatience as well as he could and kept
+close by his friend's side. The troopers unslung their carbines, George
+made ready his Winchester, while Bob, who believed as firmly in the
+virtues of "cold steel" as did the gallant officer whom he afterward
+accompanied on his last memorable march, drew his sabre. All on a sudden
+the firing ceased, and when the troopers rode over the brow of a ridge a
+few minutes later, they saw a thin blue smoke arising from the
+squatter's cabin, and that told them more than they wanted to know.
+George was both astonished and enraged at the sight--astonished to know
+that the raiders would stop during one of their marauding expeditions,
+when haste was so necessary, to attack and burn so humble a dwelling as
+the abode of the squatter, and enraged to see that they had been
+successful enough to do even that. There was a crowd of Mexicans around
+the building, and others with horses were standing close by.
+
+"Gobble the horses, Bob," said George, who was so highly excited that he
+could scarcely speak, "and then you can ride down and capture the
+raiders at your leisure."
+
+Bob caught the idea in an instant. Turning in his saddle, he waved his
+sabre over his head, but instead of giving the command "Charge!" he
+effectually closed the mouths of his followers, who had already opened
+their lips and drawn in a long breath preparatory to giving vent to
+their favorite yell, by saying in a low tone, "Silence!"
+
+Bob did not know whether or not this order had ever before been given
+during a charge, and, what was more, he did not care. His object was to
+cut the men who were lingering about the burning cabin off from their
+horses, and in order to do that he must get as close as he could to them
+before he was discovered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+The men about the cabin were so engrossed in their work of destruction,
+and the horse-guards were so intent on watching them, that Bob's advance
+was not discovered until he and his followers were within less than two
+hundred yards of the cabin. So entirely unexpected was their appearance
+that for a moment the cattle-thieves were struck motionless with
+astonishment; then they recovered their power of action, and those who
+were on foot made a rush for their horses. Some succeeded in reaching
+them, but others did not. Two or three of them fell before the carbines
+of the troopers, who opened a hot fire as soon as they saw that they
+were discovered, and the horse-guards, believing that the attacking
+party was backed up by a large force of soldiers which was close at
+hand, instantly put spurs to their nags and galloped off, taking the
+loose horses with them and leaving their companions to look out for
+themselves.
+
+"Throw down and throw up, Greasers!" commanded Corporal Owens as he
+dashed up to the cabin swinging his sabre over his head; and the order,
+which meant, "Throw down your weapons and throw up your hands," was
+obeyed by five sullen fellows, who muttered Spanish oaths between their
+teeth and looked mad enough to do almost anything.
+
+There was no fight at all. If there had been a shot fired at the
+troopers, they didn't know it. The party that had gone off with the
+horses outnumbered Bob's, and could, beyond a doubt, have driven them
+off the field if they had only thought so; but their surprise was
+complete, and, more than that, they were demoralized. The presence of
+the troopers they regarded as part of a pre-concerted plan to cut them
+off from the river, and that frightened them more than Bob's sudden
+onslaught.
+
+"Still another feather for your cap, Corporal Owens," said George, after
+he and Loring and a few others had taken a shot or two apiece at the
+retreating cattle-thieves, "and nobody hurt on our side, either. Now
+I--What are you doing here? Is this the way you keep your promise?"
+
+These questions were addressed to one of the prisoners, who took off his
+sombrero and scratched his head as if he were trying to stir up his
+ideas so that he could make some reply to these peremptory
+interrogations.
+
+"Springer," continued George, slowly, "what are you doing here? Where's
+the squatter?"
+
+"In there," replied the cattle-thief, jerking his head toward the cabin,
+which was now fairly ablaze and sending out so much heat that the
+troopers were obliged to draw away from it. "He never would have touched
+him, Fletcher wouldn't, if he had kept in the house an' left us alone;
+but he plumped one of us over when we fust came up; an' this here is the
+consequence," added Springer, nodding his head toward the cabin again.
+
+George knew why it was that the cattle-thieves had stopped to destroy
+the squatter's house. He had killed one of their number, and they, in
+turn, had killed him after a hard fight, and it was now too late to
+recover his body or to save a single thing the cabin contained.
+
+"So this is the fellow who twice befriended you, is it?" said Bob, who
+was surprised to hear George call one of the prisoners by name. "Don't
+you think it would be a good plan to chuck him into the fire too?"
+
+"_I_ do," said Loring fiercely.
+
+Springer drew a little nearer to George for protection.
+
+"I didn't have any hand in it," said he earnestly--"honor bright, I
+didn't. I can explain everything, so that you can see that I am not to
+blame for being here."
+
+"Carey," exclaimed Bob, "go back to Mr. Wentworth and give him his
+choice between taking care of himself and going to the fort with us.
+Hurry up, now.--If I only had a spade or two, I would make these
+prisoners bury their dead comrades."
+
+"Springer," said George, "can these friends of yours understand
+English?"
+
+The cattle-thief replied that they could not; they were all Mexicans.
+
+"I am glad to hear it, for I want to ask you a few questions before you
+explain how you came to be here. Did Fletcher have his whole band with
+him to-night?"
+
+"Not half of 'em," was the reply; "he had only about thirty men."
+
+"How many has he in all?"
+
+"Two hundred or so."
+
+"Does he still make his head-quarters at the Don's ranche?"
+
+"Yes; but look here, Mr. George," said Springer earnestly; "if you are
+goin' over there after him, be mighty careful. You know what sort of a
+looking place that ranche is--all stone, you know--an' them fellows is
+all old soldiers, an' they'll fight awful."
+
+George nodded his head as if to say that he knew all about that, and
+spent some minutes in questioning the prisoner in regard to the road
+that led to the ranche, while Bob sat by on his horse and listened. By
+the time George had heard all he wanted to know, and Springer had told
+how he had been arrested by the officer at Eagle Pass and rescued by
+Fletcher, Carey came back.
+
+"Mr. Wentworth will take care of himself," reported the trooper. "He
+says that if he went to the fort he would have to come back to Holmes's
+ranche, anyway--he is going to make his home there for a while, for he
+and Holmes were boys together--and so he might just as well go there in
+the first place, and save time and travelling. He sent his best wishes
+to everybody, and hopes we will catch all the scoundrels who wiped out
+the squatter."
+
+"I wish we could," said Bob, facing about in his saddle and gazing in
+the direction in which the thieves had retreated; "but we have five
+prisoners to take care of, and so our hands are tied."
+
+"You just ought to have seen him, corporal," continued Carey. "He had
+thrown his three horses in a sort of triangle by tying their feet
+together and tripping them up in some way, and there he lay with his
+boys behind his living breastworks, all ready for a fight. Grit to the
+last, wasn't he? When I asked him why he hadn't mounted and dug out as
+soon as we left, he said that that wouldn't have been safe, for he might
+have run right in among the Greasers before he knew it."
+
+"Well, boys," said Bob, gazing sorrowfully at the glowing bed of coals
+that covered the site of the squatter's cabin, "there is nothing more we
+can do here, and so we will make a break for the fort."
+
+"Look here, corporal," said one of the troopers: "if you are going to
+make us carry double with those dirty Greasers, I am going to kick."
+
+"Don't you worry," answered Bob. "I shouldn't do it myself, and of
+course I sha'n't ask you to do it. They'll have to walk.--Springer, draw
+these Mexican gentlemen up in line."
+
+Springer gave the necessary order in Spanish, and it was sullenly
+obeyed.
+
+"Just remind them, Springer, that if they don't step faster than that
+somebody may hasten their movements with a prod from the point of a
+sabre," said Bob angrily. "We are in no humor to stand a great deal of
+nonsense from them. Now, right-face them; that's better.--Fall in around
+them, squad, four on each flank and four in the rear. Forward,
+march!--Now, George, which way is the fort from here?"
+
+"Off there," replied George, "but I am going to take you to the
+river-trail."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"So that you can get something to eat."
+
+If they had been a little farther down the river, say about twenty-five
+miles, George would have taken them to his own house. It would have
+given him no little pleasure to entertain these companions of a long,
+toilsome and dangerous scout under his own roof; but of course he could
+not think of leading them out of their way in order to do it. They found
+plenty to eat after they reached the river-trail, but the ranchemen at
+whose houses they halted could give them no information concerning the
+raiders. They had been on that side of the river, and had gone back
+empty-handed, and that was all the ranchemen knew about the matter. This
+made it plain that Bob's gallant dash had not been without its effect.
+It had frightened the thieves so thoroughly that they dared not stop to
+pick up any of the cattle they found in their way.
+
+Bob and his troopers camped that night near a farm-house whose owner was
+so delighted to see the five prisoners they had brought with them, and
+to learn of the success that had attended them ever since Captain
+Clinton sent them off by themselves, that he insisted on giving them a
+seat at his table. The next morning he gave them a breakfast; but the
+first squad who went in--which included Bob and George--had scarcely
+taken possession of their chairs when one of the sentries was heard
+calling lustily for the corporal of the guard. Bob excused himself and
+ran out, only to return again almost immediately and startle everybody
+with the order, "Boots and saddles!" George jumped up from the table,
+wondering what was the matter. When he reached the porch he found out.
+About a mile up the trail was a long column of blue-coats coming down at
+a sweeping trot.
+
+"They are our boys, and they are after the Greasers," exclaimed Bob, as
+George came down the steps. "It's lucky we are here, for you are the
+very man they want if they are going across the river.--Catch up, boys,
+and fall in just as we do when we are on the march, only face to the
+left, so as to front the column when it comes up."
+
+If we have a reader who is familiar with cavalry tactics, he will have
+discovered, long before this time, that Corporal Owens was not at all
+particular as to the orders he gave, provided he could make his men act
+to suit him. When in the presence of his superiors he always gave the
+proper commands, in order to save himself from the reproof that would
+have promptly followed the slightest departure from the tactics; but
+when he was in command of a scouting-party he was decidedly free and
+easy. Even an old trooper might have been puzzled over this last order,
+but the men who had marched with him so many miles were quick to catch
+his meaning and prompt to carry out his wishes; so that when the whole
+available cavalry force of Fort Lamoine, numbering two hundred men, came
+sweeping by the farm-house a few minutes later, with Captain Clinton
+riding at the head, they were astonished to see Bob's little squad drawn
+up in a hollow square, with their prisoners in the centre. Of late there
+had been a good many anxious inquiries made concerning these very men,
+and here they were, safe and sound, and, wonderful to tell, with more
+prisoners to show what good soldiers they were.
+
+"Three cheers for the 'Brindles,' the old reliables!" shouted the
+sergeant-major; and the yells that arose from two hundred pairs of
+strong lungs could have been heard a long distance away.
+
+George lifted his cap in response to a nod of recognition from Captain
+Clinton, and in obedience to a sign from him rode over to his side; but
+Bob and his men sat in their saddles as stiff as so many posts, looking
+straight to the front. When the next call for cheers came, however, it
+almost knocked Bob over.
+
+"Three cheers for Sergeant Owens!" shouted a "Brindle;" and then came
+three more yells, followed by a "tiger" as loud and piercing as an
+Indian war-whoop. During his absence Bob had been promoted in general
+orders for gallantry, his pay as sergeant to begin on the day he rescued
+Mr. Wentworth's boys from the hands of the Kiowas.
+
+Presently the bugle sounded, and the column came to a halt. The officers
+at once fell out and crowded around George, who, in as few words as
+possible, told Captain Clinton what Bob's squad had been doing since the
+captain left them back there on the borders of the Staked Plains. The
+officers were all very much pleased, especially Lieutenant Earle, who
+for a moment threw off his dignity and rode up to thank the members of
+the squad which had brought so much credit upon the troop he commanded.
+
+"Sergeant," said he, extending his hand--which Bob accepted after
+running his own hand through his sword-knot and dropping his sabre by
+his side--"I congratulate you and all your men. You have done well."
+
+Bob managed to stammer out something about being glad to have pleased
+the lieutenant, and the latter, after ordering them to sheathe their
+sabres, went on to tell how he had followed the Indians in his front
+until his men and horses were nearly exhausted and almost dead for want
+of water, and how he had finally returned to the fort a day behind the
+column, utterly disgusted with his want of success, to find that some of
+his own troop had carried off the honors of the scout. He was proud to
+command such men.
+
+Meanwhile, Captain Clinton and George were engaged in an earnest
+consultation. The former told the young scout that he been sent out to
+punish the raiders who had just recrossed the river, and that he was
+going to do it, too. He was going to drive them out of their stronghold,
+and George must show him the way to it. His men had already had their
+coffee, but as George and the rest of Bob's squad had had none, they
+might stay there at the farm-house until they had eaten the breakfast
+that had been prepared for them, and then ride on rapidly and overtake
+the column, which would move down the trail at a trot. This having been
+decided upon, a squad was made up of details from the different
+companies to take charge of the prisoners, and the command given to a
+corporal, who was instructed to take them to the fort. Then the column
+rode on, the corporal marched off with his captives, and Bob and his
+troopers went back to the farm-house to eat their breakfast.
+
+During the meal George Ackerman, who had thus far been one of the gayest
+of the party, was very silent and thoughtful. It was almost impossible
+for any one to get a word out of him. His face was as white as a sheet,
+but although everybody noticed it, Bob Owens was the only one who could
+account for it. When they had satisfied their appetites they went out to
+hold the horses, so that the rest of the squad could come in, and George
+and the new sergeant, who was not a little elated over his unexpected
+promotion, led their nags off on one side, so that they could converse
+without being overheard.
+
+"I know just how it is," said Bob, "for I have felt so ever since
+Captain Clinton ordered me to follow up that trail. When you know that a
+good many lives besides your own depend upon a decision you may have to
+make in an instant of time, I tell you it is rather trying to a
+fellow's nerves. I used to envy the colonel and all the other high
+officers in the garrison, but I wouldn't give up my little sergeant's
+berth for double the money they make. There's too much responsibility
+connected with the positions they hold."
+
+George told himself that that was just the objection to his own
+position. He began to see that being a scout meant something. There were
+two hundred men in Captain Clinton's command, and what if they should
+all be sacrificed by some blunder on his part?
+
+As soon as the rest of the troopers had eaten breakfast, and Bob had
+thanked the farmer for his hospitality, the troopers sprang into their
+saddles and galloped after the column. When they overtook it George rode
+up beside the captain, and the Brindles, without creating the least
+confusion, fell into their usual places--all except Bob Owens, who did
+not belong in the ranks any longer. Being second sergeant, his place was
+in the rear of his company, "opposite the left file of the rear four;"
+and that was the position he fell into as soon as he had reported the
+arrival of his squad to the lieutenant.
+
+"Well, Ackerman," said Captain Clinton as the boy galloped up beside
+him, "we are in your hands. We want to go to the nearest ford, and we
+don't want to get there before dark."
+
+"Very good, sir. If you will move the column in that direction," said
+George, indicating a 'right oblique,' "you will cut off twenty miles,
+and besides, you can walk all the way, and save your horses for a rapid
+eighteen-mile ride that must come as soon as we cross the river."
+
+We need not dwell upon the incidents of that day's march, or enlarge
+upon the feeling of suspense that George Ackerman experienced during
+that "rapid eighteen-mile ride" to which he had referred. It will be
+enough to say that they crossed the ford just after dark in safety; that
+George, without the least difficulty, found the narrow road that led
+from the river to Don Miguel's ranche; that at his suggestion the column
+marched "right by twos," which changed the troopers from four to two
+abreast, Captain Clinton and George riding at the head; that they moved
+as silently as possible, so as not to alarm any of the people living
+along the route, and rapidly, in order to reach the ranche before the
+cattle-thieves could receive notice of their approach; and that at the
+end of two hours they galloped into the valley and saw Fletcher's
+stronghold in plain view before them. A single glance at it showed them
+that they had arrived just in the nick of time. The courtyard was
+lighted up with lanterns, excited men were moving to and fro, loud
+voices were heard shouting out words of command, and the whole interior
+of the building presented a scene of the wildest commotion. Some
+watchful friend had got ahead of the column and warned the thieves, and
+they were gathering up their plunder preparatory to beating a hasty
+retreat. They were on the watch too, for the column had scarcely made
+its appearance when a sentry called out, "Who is it?" (equivalent to
+"Who goes there?"), following up his challenge with the cry of "The
+Americans! the Americans!"
+
+George afterward said that he never had a very clear idea of what
+happened during the next few minutes. He remembered that he heard the
+bugle sound a charge; that he dashed through the arched stone gateway at
+headlong speed side by side with Captain Clinton; and that the rapid
+discharge of firearms rang in his ears, accompanied by the cries of the
+cattle-thieves, who fled in every direction, and such cheers and yells
+from the troopers as he had never heard before. When he came to
+himself, his horse, which seemed to enter fully into the spirit of the
+matter, was dancing about in front of a pile of forage that filled one
+end of the courtyard. When George saw it he threw himself from his
+saddle and caught up a lantern.
+
+"I have seen the inside of this hole for the last time," said he to
+himself. "If Fletcher lives to make a prisoner of me, he shall not bring
+me to this ranche, and neither shall he harbor here to raid on my
+stock."
+
+As these thoughts passed through the boy's mind he smashed the glass
+globe of the lantern with one savage kick, and picking up the lamp
+applied the flame to the pile of forage. He set it on fire in half a
+dozen different places, and then turned and threw the lamp into one of
+the nearest rooms, which seemed to be well filled with something. When
+he had done that he was frightened. What if it was powder in there? But,
+fortunately, it wasn't. It was some combustible matter that blazed up
+fiercely, sending huge volumes of flames out of the door and lighting up
+the courtyard, which was now occupied only by American troopers. The
+cattle-thieves had behaved just as they did when Bob Owens so gallantly
+attacked a portion of their number at the squatter's cabin. They fled
+in hot haste, making their escape by the roof, by doors whose existence
+George never dreamed of, and by squeezing themselves through the narrow
+openings that served the ranche in the place of windows. And, strange to
+tell, there was no one injured on either side. Having satisfied himself
+on this point by searching all the rooms to make sure that there were no
+dead or wounded men in them, the captain ordered his troopers into the
+saddle and departed as rapidly and silently as he had come. George
+looked over his shoulder now and then, and when he saw the thick clouds
+of smoke that arose in the air growing thicker and blacker, he told
+himself that he had made sure work of the old ranche, and that it would
+never serve the cattle-thieves for a harboring-place again.
+
+Of course there was an "investigation" made by the Mexican government,
+but if it ever amounted to anything, George never heard of it. The
+expedition certainly had a moral effect, and no doubt that was just what
+the department commander wanted. A body of Mexican troops was ordered to
+the river almost immediately, and after that the raiders were by no
+means as bold as they had formerly been. They crossed the Rio Grande
+now and then lower down, toward Eagle Pass, but the troopers there were
+on the alert, and after they had thrashed the thieves a few times on
+their own ground, and some of their leaders had been arrested by the
+Mexican authorities, the Texans began to feel comparatively safe.
+
+George Ackerman was kept actively employed at the fort much longer than
+he thought he would be when he first went there. By order of Colonel
+Brown he crossed the river on several occasions disguised in his Mexican
+suit, and he always brought back some information concerning the
+raiders; and once he came so near being captured by his old enemy,
+Fletcher, that it was a wonder how he escaped. But long before this
+happened Gus Robbins had received his discharge as a minor, and gone
+back to Foxboro', a wiser if not a happier boy; Bristow had found his
+way into the military prison at Fort Leavenworth; and the cattle-thieves
+whom Bob Owens had captured at the squatter's cabin had been turned over
+to the civil authorities. George did all he could to secure Springer's
+release, but his efforts were unavailing, and with his companions he was
+sentenced to the penitentiary for a long term of years. Mr. Wentworth
+had come out all right. With the aid of his friend, Mr. Holmes, he had
+gathered up all his cattle that had been stampeded by the Mexican
+raiders, and rebuilt his ranche in a more substantial manner, and he and
+his boys made it a point to visit the post very frequently to see the
+men who had rendered them such signal service.
+
+The months wore on, the raids in Colonel Brown's district grew less and
+less frequent until they ceased altogether, and then the colonel told
+George that he might go home if he so desired. He did desire it, for he
+was growing tired of life among the soldiers, and besides, he knew it
+would be a waste of time for him to remain at the fort when he could no
+longer be of any use there. So, after taking leave of the officers and
+of the men who had accompanied him on his expeditions, he mounted his
+horse, took his pack-mule by the halter and set out. The troopers, who
+had assembled at the gate to see him go, cheered him lustily as he rode
+through their ranks, and George carried away with him the assurance that
+their feelings toward him were very unlike those with which they had
+regarded him when he first made his appearance at the fort.
+
+Sergeant Owens never lost the position he held in the estimation of both
+officers and men. He did his duty faithfully, never squandered a cent of
+his pay at the sutler's store, and at last had the satisfaction of
+telling himself that he had refunded every cent of the _Mail Carrier's_
+money, interest included. He kept up a regular correspondence with his
+father, who told him he was proud of the record he had won, and said
+everything he could to encourage him. One thing that pleased Bob was the
+knowledge of the fact that everybody in and about Rochdale was familiar
+with his history. They knew just what he had done when the steamer Sam
+Kendall was burned, and the particulars of his exploit on the Staked
+Plains had been published in the papers. He would go home a hero,
+instead of sneaking back like a thief in the night; and that is
+something that runaway boys don't often do.
+
+George Ackerman was glad to get back to his ranche again. He thoroughly
+enjoyed the quiet life he led there, it was so different from the life
+of bustle and excitement he had led at the fort. One bright moonlight
+night, while he was pacing up and down the porch, thinking over old
+times, and wondering what Bob Owens and the rest of the boys were doing
+at the fort, he was aroused from the reverie into which he had fallen by
+the sound of horses' hoofs on the trail. He stopped abruptly, and after
+listening a moment heard the clanking of sabres mingling with the sound
+of the horses' feet. Greatly surprised, George descended the steps, and
+walking out to the trail discovered a long line of horsemen approaching.
+There was no need that he should ask who they were or where they came
+from, for as soon as they saw him they greeted him vociferously. They
+were troopers from Fort Lamoine. They rode on past the ranche, but two
+men who were riding at the head of the column turned off and came up to
+him. One was Mr. Gilbert and the other was Captain Clinton.
+
+"Why, captain," exclaimed George, "this is an unexpected pleasure. May I
+ask where you are going? You'll not march any farther to-night?"
+
+"No, we're not going any farther," was the answer. "I was about to camp
+near Mr. Gilbert's ranche, but when I happened to mention your name, he
+told me that you lived only ten miles away; so I came on, thinking that
+perhaps you would like to see the boys again for the last time. We're
+going up to Fort Lincoln to join General Terry," continued the captain,
+as he dismounted and gave his horse up to one of George's herdsmen.
+"That's in Dakota, you know. A determined--and, I hope,
+successful--effort is about to be made to crush that old rascal, Sitting
+Bull, by throwing three strong columns upon him--one under Crook from
+the south, another under Gibbon from the west, and the third under Terry
+from the east. There's where your old friends the 'Brindles' are going.
+I suppose it doesn't make any difference to you where we camp?"
+
+"Of course not," replied George. "There is plenty of grass and water
+close at hand. Come into the house, both of you. I want to hear all
+about that great expedition."
+
+Were there not exciting times in the ranche that night? and didn't
+George find the greatest satisfaction in acting as host to the men with
+whom he had so often messed at the fort? The supper was the best the
+house could afford, and all the officers in the column sat down to it.
+When they had talked themselves out, and were about to go to camp,
+George asked and obtained permission for Sergeant Owens and all the
+members of his old squad to come in and visit him. Then there was
+another supper to be eaten and another long conversation to be had, and
+the consequence was that when reveille was sounded no one in that ranche
+had had a wink of sleep.
+
+Bob Owens rode away with his command that morning, and it was a long
+time before George heard of him again. He left Fort Lincoln with General
+Terry, went off with Custer on that memorable scout, and when that
+officer divided his command into three detachments, Sergeant Owens was
+one of those who were detailed to remain behind with the packs. He heard
+all of that terrible fight on that bright Sunday afternoon when Reno was
+defeated and Custer fell with so many of his devoted followers. He took
+part in the closing scenes of it, for when the packs were ordered up,
+about six o'clock in the evening, he was under fire from that time until
+nine, and saw eighteen of his companions killed and forty-six wounded.
+He marched back to Fort Lincoln with the remnants of the expedition,
+which had been whipped at every point by the wily old savage it had
+hoped to crush, and was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, where he received
+his honorable discharge. Then he went home, and he is there now, living
+on the best of terms with everybody, especially David Evans. Although he
+was kept in the army long months beyond his time, he does not complain,
+for it gives him the opportunity to refer, when speaking of his frontier
+experience, to the "time when he was with Custer."
+
+George Ackerman is living in his Texas home, managing his own affairs
+with the assistance of an occasional word from Mr. Gilbert, and keeping
+up a regular correspondence with his friend Bob Owens, whom he hopes
+some day to see at his ranche again. He has never heard from his uncle
+John or from Ned since he parted from them in Galveston. George has seen
+some stirring times during his life, and has learned how to enjoy
+himself in a quiet way. He has accumulated a large fund of stories
+during his travels, and takes pleasure in relating them to any attentive
+listener. Of all the numerous adventures in which he had borne a part,
+he delights most to talk about those that befell him during his LIFE
+AMONG THE SOLDIERS.
+
+
+
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+   "himself to be could be coward" on page 106 is left as it
+   was in the original
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GEORGE AT THE FORT***
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+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, George at the Fort, by Harry Castlemon</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: George at the Fort</p>
+<p>       Life Among the Soldiers</p>
+<p>Author: Harry Castlemon</p>
+<p>Release Date: June 2, 2007  [eBook #21664]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GEORGE AT THE FORT***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>E-text prepared by David Edwards, Marcia Brooks,<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net/c/">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br />
+    from digital material generously made available by<br />
+    Internet Archive/American Libraries<br />
+    (<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/americana">http://www.archive.org/details/americana</a>)</h4>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="10" style="background-color: #ccccff;">
+  <tr>
+    <td valign="top">
+      Note:
+    </td>
+    <td>
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive/American Libraries. See
+      <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/georgeatthefort00castrich">
+      http://www.archive.org/details/georgeatthefort00castrich</a>
+    </td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p>
+
+<h4>ROUGHING IT SERIES.</h4>
+
+<h1>GEORGE AT THE FORT;</h1>
+
+<h4>OR,</h4>
+
+<h3>LIFE AMONG THE SOLDIERS.</h3>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">By HARRY CASTLEMON</span>,</h3>
+
+<h5>AUTHOR OF "THE GUNBOAT SERIES," "THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES,"<br />
+"THE BOY TRAPPER SERIES," ETC.</h5>
+<br />
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 101px;">
+<img src="images/a007.jpg" width="101" height="120" alt="a007" title="" />
+</div>
+<br />
+<center>PHILADELPHIA:<br />
+<big>PORTER &amp; COATES.</big>
+</center>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="FAMOUS_CASTLEMON_BOOKS" id="FAMOUS_CASTLEMON_BOOKS"></a>FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.</h2>
+
+<center><i>Each volume handsomely illustrated and bound in fine extra
+cloth, black and gold stamp. 16mo.</i></center>
+<hr style="width: 25%;" />
+
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr>
+<td><b>GUNBOAT SERIES.</b> 6 vols.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">Frank the Young Naturalist.</span></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Frank on the Prairie.</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">Frank on the Lower Mississippi.</span></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Frank in the Woods.</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">Frank Before Vicksburg.</span></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Frank on a Gunboat.</span></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 20%;">
+<ul>
+<li><b>ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.</b> 3 vols.</li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Frank among the Rancheros.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Frank in the Mountains.</span></li>
+
+
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><b>SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.</b> 3 vols.</li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club Afloat.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club Among the Trappers.</span></li>
+
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><b>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</b> 3 vols.</li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Snowed Up; or, the Sportsman's Club in the Mountains.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Frank Nelson in the Forecastle.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Boy Traders; or, the Sportsman's Club Among the Boers.</span></li>
+
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><b>BOY TRAPPER SERIES.</b> 3 vols.</li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Buried Treasure; Or, Old Jordan's Haunt.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Boy Trapper; Or, How Dave Filled the Order.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Mail-carrier.</span></li>
+
+
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><b>ROUGHING IT SERIES.</b> 3 vols.</li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">George in Camp; or, Life on the Plains.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">George at the Wheel; or, Life in a Pilot House.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">George at the Fort; or, Life among the Soldiers.</span></li>
+
+
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><b>GO AHEAD SERIES.</b> 3 vols.</li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Go Ahead; or, the Fisher Boy's Motto.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">No Moss; or, the Career of a Rolling Stone.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Tom Newcombe; or, the Boy of Bad Habits.</span></li>
+</ul>
+</div></div>
+<br />
+
+<center><big><i>Other Volumes in Preparation.</i></big></center>
+<br />
+<center><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1882, by Porter &amp; Coates.</span></center>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="toc" id="toc"></a>
+<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<ul>
+<li><center><a href="#FAMOUS_CASTLEMON_BOOKS"><b>FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.</b></a></center></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#ILLUSTRATIONS"><b>ILLUSTRATIONS</b></a></center></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><span class="ralign"><span class="smcap">Page</span></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Discontented Recruits</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">An Old Friend turns up</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Bob's First Command</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">A Perilous Undertaking</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The New Scout</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">An Unexpected Guest</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">How Bryant was Captured</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>
+<ul>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">George at the Fort</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_159">159</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">What George Knew About Trailing</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_179">179</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">How George Saved the Camp</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_200">200</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Telegraphing by Smokes</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_222">222</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Another Feather for Bob's Cap</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_242">242</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">He Wins It Fairly</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_262">262</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a></center></li>
+<li>"<span class="smcap">Three Cheers for the 'brindles'</span>!"<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_282">282</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">More Bad Luck for Mr. Wentworth</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_303">303</a></span></li>
+<li style="list-style: none"><br /></li>
+<li><center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a></center></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Conclusion</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_327">327</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="ILLUSTRATIONS" id="ILLUSTRATIONS"></a>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tbody>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">An Unexpected Guest</span></td><td align='center'>facing</td><td align='center'>page</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Storming the Dug-Out</span></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_85">84</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Bob Captures the Deserter</span></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Telegraphing by Smoke</span></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_280">280</a></td></tr>
+</tbody>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h1>GEORGE AT THE FORT.</h1>
+
+<hr style="width: 25%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>DISCONTENTED RECRUITS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Captain, this thing must be stopped. I say
+it must be stopped, even if we have to resort
+to summary measures. We must find out who the
+ringleaders are, and make an example of them."</p>
+
+<p>The speaker was Colonel Brown, the commanding
+officer of Fort Lamoine. As he uttered these
+emphatic words he slammed a paper-weight down
+upon a pile of reports which the adjutant had just
+brought in, and, settling back in his chair, looked
+sharply at the officer who stood in front of the
+table. The red sash the latter wore around his
+waist proclaimed him to be the officer of the day.</p>
+
+<p>"How many did you say there were in the party
+who deserted last night?" continued the colonel.</p>
+
+<p>"Seven, sir," replied the officer of the day, "and
+there is a list of their names. They took no horses<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>
+with them, but they each secured a carbine and a
+box of cartridges."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p006.jpg" alt="p006" title="illus_032b"/></div>
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption"><span class="smcap">An Unexpected Guest.</span></span></div>
+
+<p>"That makes thirty men who have deserted since
+I took command of this post," said the colonel, angrily,
+"and not more than half of them have been
+captured.&mdash;Orderly, tell Corporal Owens I want to
+see him. He is one of the few non-commissioned
+officers in the command whom I am not afraid to
+trust.&mdash;Captain, have six picked men, with two
+days' rations, detailed to go with him in pursuit of
+these deserters. He can find and arrest them if
+anybody can."</p>
+
+<p>The officer of the day closed the door of the colonel's
+head-quarters behind him, and in a few minutes
+the orderly opened it again to admit a sturdy
+young soldier, about eighteen years old, who wore
+upon his arms the yellow <i>chevrons</i> of a corporal of
+cavalry. This was Bob Owens&mdash;the boy who stole
+the <i>mail-carrier's</i> hard-earned money and ran away
+from home to enjoy it. He had not changed much
+in appearance. He had grown taller and his shoulders
+were broader, but any one who had known him
+before he entered the army would have recognized
+him now. The fact that he had been selected to
+perform the hazardous duty of pursuing and arrest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>ing
+the deserters who had left the fort the night
+before fully armed, and who would not hesitate to
+make a desperate resistance rather than allow themselves
+to be taken back to stand the punishment that
+would be inflicted upon them by a court-martial, and
+the colonel's declaration that he was one of the few
+non-commissioned officers in the command whom he
+was not afraid to trust, seemed to indicate that our
+old friend Bob had won a reputation since he enlisted
+in Galveston, nearly a year ago, and done
+something to win the confidence of his superiors.
+Let us go back and see what it was.</p>
+
+<p>The last time we saw Bob Owens he was just
+coming out of a recruiting-office, having enlisted in
+the regular cavalry and sworn away his liberty for
+a long term of years. He did not take this step of
+his own free will, but was driven to it by force of
+circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>When Bob found Dan Evans in his camp in the
+woods and stole from him the money that David,
+with Dan and Bert Gordon's assistance, had earned
+by trapping quails, he ran away from home, and
+after escaping from the constable who arrested him
+at Linwood on suspicion of being a horse-thief he
+took passage on board the steamer Sam Kendall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>
+for St. Louis. While he was on the steamer
+he made the acquaintance of George Ackerman,
+who was one of the pilots, and whom he twice
+saved from drowning. George owned an extensive
+cattle-ranche in Texas, which was held in
+trust for him by his uncle, John Ackerman, who
+was his guardian. After the Sam Kendall was
+burned he tried to show his gratitude to his preserver,
+whom he believed to be alone in the world,
+by offering him a home at his house. At first Bob
+was inclined to refuse. His imagination having
+been excited by the cheap novels he had read, he
+had left home intending to go on the Plains and
+make himself famous as a hunter and Indian-fighter;
+but George, who had seen more than one
+professional hunter in his frontier home, said so
+much against it, and painted the poverty and
+worthlessness of this class of men, and the dangers
+of the life they led, in such gloomy colors, that Bob
+was finally induced to give up his long-cherished
+idea, and to consent to accompany his new friend to
+his home in Texas. As George had no money, Bob
+footed all their bills, and in due time, in spite of the
+efforts which Uncle John Ackerman made to separate
+them in New Orleans, they arrived in Galveston.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They had scarcely stepped ashore before their
+troubles began in earnest. Bob's pocket was picked
+while he was passing through the crowd on the
+wharf, and the boys found themselves alone in a
+strange city, without money enough in their possession
+to pay for supper or lodging, and no friend
+to whom they could go for assistance. They spent
+the night on the streets, keeping constantly in motion
+to avoid attracting the attention of the police,
+and when morning came they found a good-natured
+grocer who gave them a breakfast of crackers and
+cheese, and provided George with the means of
+writing to Mr Gilbert for money to pay his fare
+and Bob's by rail and stage-coach to Palos. If
+they could only reach that place, their troubles
+would be over, for George was well known there,
+and everybody would be ready to lend him and his
+new friend a helping hand. But Mr. Gilbert lived
+a long way from Galveston, the mail facilities between
+Palos and his rancho were none of the best,
+and the boys were utterly at a loss to determine
+how they were going to exist during the two or
+three weeks that must elapse before George could
+receive an answer to his letter.</p>
+
+<p>The two friends passed the day in roaming about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>
+the city looking for work, but nobody needed them.
+When the afternoon began drawing to a close they
+were almost tired out, and George talked of going
+to some station-house to spend the night&mdash;a project
+to which Bob could not bear to listen. The
+idea of having a policeman's key turned upon him
+was dreadful; the bare thought of it was enough
+to make him gasp for breath. As he walked along
+the streets he was continually searching his pockets
+in the faint hope of finding the missing money
+tucked away in some unexplored corner, and finally
+he discovered fifty cents in currency in the watch-pocket
+of his trousers. His heart bounded at the
+sight of it. It was enough to provide him with
+supper and a night's lodging, but was not enough
+to pay for the same comforts for George.</p>
+
+<p>When Bob found this stray piece of currency he
+was not long in making up his mind how to act.
+He resolved to slip away from George, and accomplished
+his purpose by gradually slackening his pace
+and allowing the young pilot to get some distance
+in advance of him, and then he turned down a
+cross-street and took to his heels. He made his
+way to a cheap lodging-house, ate a hearty supper
+and went to bed, wondering how George was get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>ting
+on and where he would pass the night. The
+latter, as we know, fared much better than Bob did,
+and the latter made a great mistake in deserting
+him. His companion had not been gone more
+than a half an hour before George encountered Mr.
+Gilbert, the friend to whom he had written that
+morning, and who had come to Galveston on business.
+The two looked everywhere for Bob, but
+were finally obliged to abandon the search. The
+missing boy had disappeared as completely as
+though the earth had opened and swallowed him
+up.</p>
+
+<p>The first question that forced itself upon the mind
+of Bob Owens when he awoke the next morning
+was, "What shall I do next?" A careful examination
+of all his pockets showed him that there were
+no more fifty-cent pieces in them, and he was obliged
+to confess to himself that the future looked exceedingly
+dark. He walked the streets in a very disconsolate
+frame of mind, and had almost decided
+that he would step into the nearest grocery-store and
+ask the proprietor if he would not give him a job
+of sawing wood to pay for something to eat, when
+he happened to pass a recruiting-office. A sign
+posted up in front of the door conveyed to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>
+public the information that men were wanted there
+for the United States cavalry service, and suggested
+an idea to Bob. He took a few minutes in which
+to run it over in his mind, and then faced about
+and entered the office.</p>
+
+<p>The law against enlisting minors without the
+consent of their parents or guardians is very strict,
+but Bob got around it by repeating the story he
+had told George Ackerman, that he was an orphan,
+and that there was no one who had a right to control
+his actions. The recruiting-officer was a young
+man, not more than two or three years older than
+himself, but he had seen service away up in the
+Yellowstone country, and the scar on his forehead,
+which was not yet fully healed, marked the track
+of the Indian bullet which had come very near
+putting an end to his career as a soldier. Being
+unable to do duty in the field, he had been sent to
+Texas to recuperate his health and to recruit men
+to fill up some of the depleted cavalry regiments.
+He questioned Bob very closely, but the latter gave
+satisfactory replies, and, having passed the surgeon,
+his "descriptive list" was taken and he was duly
+sworn into the service. There were a number of
+newly-enlisted men hanging about the office wait<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>ing
+to be ordered to some post, and one of them,
+who acted as quartermaster-sergeant, took Bob into
+a back room and served out a uniform to him.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall I do with my citizen's rig?" asked
+Bob as he twisted himself first on one side and then
+on the other to see how he looked in his new clothes.
+"I suppose I can't keep it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," was the sergeant's quick reply.
+"It would come too handy in case you should make
+up your mind to desert."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall never make up my mind to any such
+thing," exclaimed Bob, indignantly. "I have gone
+into this business with my eyes open, and I am going
+to see it through."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the right spirit," said the sergeant. "But
+wait till you have ridden twelve hundred miles at a
+stretch in pursuit of a band of hostiles, and perhaps
+you'll weaken."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about hostiles?" asked Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I should think I ought to know all about
+them, for I have been there. This is my third enlistment
+in the regular army."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that so?" exclaimed Bob. "I should think
+that after so many years' service you ought to be an
+officer."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I was a non-com when I was discharged, and
+that is as high as any enlisted man can get now,"
+replied the soldier. "I was a captain during the
+war, but they don't take men out of the ranks and
+make officers of them any more. When I enlisted
+this time I had to go in as a private; but I have
+my old warrants in my pocket, and perhaps they
+will help me get a new one when I reach the post
+where I am to serve."</p>
+
+<p>"What's a non-com?" asked Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, a non-commissioned officer," answered
+the soldier, staring at Bob as if he were surprised
+at his ignorance. "You never did any soldiering,
+I'll bet."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I never did," replied the recruit; "this is
+my first experience."</p>
+
+<p>"And before you get through with it you will
+wish that you had never had any experience at
+all."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you think I shall like the army?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I know <i>I</i> don't like it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why did you enlist again?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I couldn't do anything else. A man
+who has soldiered for nearly fourteen years isn't fit
+for civil life. Now, make your citizen's clothes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>
+into a bundle and take them around the corner to
+a little Jew store you will find there. Mose buys
+all the recruits' cast-off clothing. He'll not give
+you much for them, but the little he will give you
+will keep you in gingerbread as long as you stay
+in the city."</p>
+
+<p>"How long do you suppose that will be?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I don't know, but if recruits keep
+coming in as rapidly as they have during the last
+few days, the lieutenant will probably take a squad
+off next week."</p>
+
+<p>"Where will he take it?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's a conundrum. A private never knows
+where he is going until he gets there."</p>
+
+<p>"Where do you eat and sleep?"</p>
+
+<p>"We take our meals at the restaurant next door,
+and having no bunks we sleep on the benches in
+the office. You can go about the city as much as
+you please, but you must be sure and report at
+meal-time. If you fail to do that, you will have
+the police after you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why will I?" asked Bob in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Because the lieutenant will think you have
+deserted."</p>
+
+<p>Bob was beginning to feel the tight rein of mil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>itary
+discipline already. At home he had always
+been accustomed to go and come when he pleased,
+and he did not like the idea of having his liberty
+restricted or of being obliged to obey without
+question the orders of a boy scarcely older than
+himself. But it was too late to think of that
+now. The youthful officer was backed up by the
+entire military and police force of the United
+States, and there was no such thing as getting out
+of reach of his authority.</p>
+
+<p>"I am in for it," thought Bob as he rolled up
+his clothes and started for the little Jew store
+around the corner, "but I don't know that I could
+have done anything else. I shall have plenty to
+eat and a place to sleep, and at the same time
+I shall be earning money to pay off that debt I
+owe Dave Evans. What an idiot I was to keep
+that money! To pay for that one act of folly and
+dishonesty I am compelled to waste some of the
+best years of my life in the army. I hope I shall
+get a chance to show them that I am no coward,
+if I am a greenhorn."</p>
+
+<p>It was little indeed that Mose gave Bob for the
+articles he had to offer for sale&mdash;just four dollars
+for clothing that had cost over thirty; but those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>
+four dollars made him feel a little more independent.
+They brought him a few delicacies to supplement
+the plain fare that was served up to him
+and his companions at the cheap restaurant at
+which they took their meals, and were the means
+of gaining him the friendship of one of the recruits,
+Bristow by name, who stuck to him like a leech
+until the last cent had been expended.</p>
+
+<p>Bob remained in Galveston nearly two weeks,
+and during that time he saw everything of interest
+there was to be seen in the city. Then he began
+to grow tired of having nothing to do, and took
+to hanging about the office as the others did, and
+making comments upon those who presented themselves
+for enlistment. He was glad indeed when
+the lieutenant mustered all the recruits one night
+and ordered them to report at the office the next
+morning at nine o'clock, sharp; but he was provoked
+because the officer did not tell them where
+they were going. This, however, only proved the
+truth of the old sergeant's words&mdash;that a private
+never knew where he was going until he got there.
+Bob knew that they were bound for Brownsville
+when a steamer landed them there a few hours later,
+and he found out that they were going from there to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>
+Fort Lamoine when they arrived at that post after
+a weary tramp of more than three hundred miles.</p>
+
+<p>The recruits camped beside the trail at night,
+and during the daytime plodded along behind the
+army-wagon which contained their tents, blankets,
+rations and cooking-utensils. It was very fatiguing
+to all of them, and it was not long before Bob
+began to learn something of the dispositions of the
+men with whom he was to be intimately associated
+during his term of enlistment. The majority of
+them grumbled lustily, and even talking of deserting,
+and there were not more than two or three
+besides himself who bore the discomforts of the
+march with anything like patience. There was not
+much restriction placed upon their actions, and, although
+they were not permitted to stray away from
+the line of march during the daytime, they were
+allowed to visit any ranches or farm-houses that
+might be in the neighborhood of their camping-grounds.
+The people they met along the route
+were very liberal with the products of their gardens
+and with their milk, butter and eggs, and the
+recruits fared sumptuously every day; but it would
+have been much better for some of them if they
+had remained in camp at night and left the settlers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>
+entirely alone. Not a few of the men with whom
+they exchanged civilities unconsciously sowed among
+them seeds of discontent that were destined eventually
+to bear a fruitful crop of trouble. By endeavoring
+to live up to the sentiments they heard expressed
+on every hand, more than one of the recruits
+found themselves landed in the military
+prison at Fort Leavenworth.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see why you chaps swear away your
+liberty, and work for thirteen dollars a month,
+when you might just as well get forty and be free
+men," said a rancheman one night, after he has
+given Bob and three companions, one of whom was
+Bristow, all the milk he had to spare. "You'll
+soon get enough of soldiering, <i>I</i> tell you. I know,
+for I have tried it. It is a heap easier to ride
+around on your horse and watch your cattle while
+they are fattening themselves for market on the
+rich grass."</p>
+
+<p>"But we don't happen to have any cattle to
+watch," said Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Who would give us forty dollars a month?"
+demanded Bristow, who was one of the loudest and
+most persistent grumblers among the recruits.</p>
+
+<p>"You could get it almost anywhere in this coun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>try,"
+replied the rancheman. "I'd give it to you, for
+one, and I know of a dozen others who stand ready
+to snap up the first man that comes along, no odds
+whether he ever herded cattle or not. You have
+made precious fools of yourselves, and you'll get a
+fool's reward. You'll have mean grub, hard work
+and poor pay, and be niggers to every little snipe
+who wears a shoulder-strap."</p>
+
+<p>"We've found that out already&mdash;haven't we,
+boys?" said Bristow, as he and his companions reluctantly
+took leave of the hospitable rancheman
+and retraced their steps toward the camp. "We <i>are</i>
+precious fools to work for thirteen dollars, when
+we might just as well earn three times that amount,
+and be our own masters besides. There is no need
+that anybody should tell us that our officers will
+treat us like niggers, for we have found that out
+too. Look at that lieutenant! He rides in the
+wagon every day, while we have to hoof it."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must remember that he is not strong,"
+said Bob. "He has not yet fully recovered from
+the effects of his wound."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe a word of it," declared Bristow.
+"He's just as able to march and cook his own grub
+and pitch his own tent as we are. It makes me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>
+sick to see how that man Haskins waits on him."
+(Haskins was the one who had served out clothing
+to the recruits in Galveston.) "But a blind man
+could see what he is working for," added Bristow.
+"He wants to get into the good graces of the lieutenant,
+hoping that he will be recommended for a
+non-com's position when we reach the fort. I tell
+you I have seen enough of soldiering already, and
+the very first chance I get I am going to skip out."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go with you," said one of the recruits.</p>
+
+<p>"All right! Shake on that."</p>
+
+<p>"You may depend upon me," said the recruit
+as he grasped Bristow's proffered hand. "Do you
+remember that big-whiskered, loud-voiced rancheman
+who gave us the potatoes the other night? He
+is sadly in need of help, and he told me that if I
+would come to his house, bringing three or four
+friends with me, he would give us citizens' clothes
+and hide us until the officers gave up looking for
+us. All he asked was, that we should agree to
+work for him for twelve months, and promise not
+to leave without giving him due notice."</p>
+
+<p>"I am in for that," exclaimed the recruit who
+had not spoken before.&mdash;"What do you say,
+Owens?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I say I am <i>out</i> of it," was the quick reply.
+"If I did a thing like that, I never could look a
+white man in the face again. I have been guilty
+of a good many mean acts during my life&mdash;some
+that I would gladly recall if I could&mdash;but I am
+not mean enough to desert. Besides, I have no
+desire to have a bullet sent into me."</p>
+
+<p>Bob's companions did not know whether to be
+surprised or angry at this plain speech. They stared
+hard at him for a moment, and then Bristow said,</p>
+
+<p>"Are you really afraid of being shot? Well, I
+can set your fears on that score at rest. I know
+that the penalty for desertion in the face of the
+enemy is death, but we are not in the face of the
+enemy now. The country is at peace."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it is nominally so," answered Bob,
+"but it is not so in reality, and never will be so
+long as these hostile Indians and lawless Mexicans
+continue to raid over the Texas border. If you
+skip out, as you threaten to do, you may rest assured
+that you will be brought back by force of
+arms, and if you resist you will be shot."</p>
+
+<p>"How does it come that you know so much
+more than the rest of us?" demanded Bristow angrily.
+"You are not an old soldier."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am aware of that fact, but I have been talking
+to an old soldier, and that was Haskins. He
+told me that Major Elliot, one of General Custer's
+officers, pursued a party of deserters, and when they
+resisted he shot three of them; and Haskins himself
+was one of the squad that did the shooting."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe a word of it," exclaimed
+Bristow.</p>
+
+<p>"Neither do I," said another of the recruits.
+"Of course we expect to be pursued, but we shall
+take good care that we are not caught. Any of
+these ranchemen who want herdsmen will furnish
+us with citizens' clothing, and before our year is
+out the thing will blow over, and then we'll go
+home, and stay there."</p>
+
+<p>"It won't blow over as easily as you think for,"
+said Bob. "It will be known to your home authorities
+and to everybody else that you are deserters,
+and all the detectives in the United States will
+be on the lookout for you. If you want to live in
+constant fear of arrest, you can do it, but I won't."</p>
+
+<p>Bob stuck to his resolution, and his discontented
+companions stuck to theirs. We shall see in due
+time which of the four made the wisest decision.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>AN OLD FRIEND TURNS UP.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The long, toilsome journey was completed at
+last, and late one afternoon the weary and
+footsore recruits found themselves drawn up in line
+on the parade-ground at Fort Lamoine. After the
+roll had been called and the colonel commanding
+the post had hurriedly inspected them, they were
+turned over to a sergeant, who marched them into the
+barracks. There they found about two hundred or
+more soldiers, who, as soon as the order was given
+to "break ranks," crowded about them inquiring for
+late papers and asking a thousand and one questions
+in regard to what was going on in the States.</p>
+
+<p>Learning from the sergeant that no duty would
+be required of him that day, Bob spread his blankets
+in one of the empty bunks, and, stretching
+himself upon them, placed his hands under his head
+and looked about him with no little curiosity.
+Presently a young trooper, a boy about his own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>
+age, who looked as though he were just recovering
+from a long siege of sickness, approached, and, seating
+himself on the edge of Bob's bunk, began a
+conversation with him. Those of our readers
+who have met this boy before in citizen's dress
+might have seen something familiar about him, but
+still it is doubtful if they would have recognized in
+him&mdash;Well, we will let him reveal his identity.
+After a few commonplace remarks Bob inquired,
+as he nodded his head toward a soldier who was
+hobbling about the room with the aid of a crutch,</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter with that man?"</p>
+
+<p>"Raiders," was the sententious reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Been in a fight?" asked Bob.</p>
+
+<p>The young soldier nodded his head.</p>
+
+<p>"How long since?"</p>
+
+<p>"Last full moon."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope these fights don't occur very often."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they do&mdash;much oftener than I wish they
+did. I have been in two pretty hard ones, and
+that's enough for me. I suppose we shall have
+more of them now, for I understand that we have
+received orders to follow the raiders across the river
+and thrash them wherever they can be found."</p>
+
+<p>"Were you wounded in one of those fights?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>
+asked Bob. "Then you must be sick," he added
+when the boy shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am sick," was the reply&mdash;"homesick
+and sick at heart. I have been in the army nearly
+two years and a half, and I don't see how I can
+live to serve out the rest of my time. I am dying
+by inches."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you come into the army for, anyhow?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I was a fool," answered the young
+soldier bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>"Shake," exclaimed Bob, extending his hand;
+"I came in for the same reason."</p>
+
+<p>"Did your parents give their consent?" asked
+his new acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>"No, they didn't. They live in Mississippi,
+and don't know anything about it."</p>
+
+<p>Bob's long tramp had taken a good deal of spirit
+out of him, and somehow he could not muster up
+energy enough to tell any more falsehoods concerning
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>"My parents live in Ohio," said the soldier.</p>
+
+<p>"Then how in the world did you happen to stray
+down here to Texas?" asked Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"I ran away from home."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Shake," said Bob, again extending his hand;
+"that's just what I did."</p>
+
+<p>The two runaways shook each other's hands in
+the most cordial manner, and instantly all reserve
+between them vanished. They were companions in
+misery and united by a bond of sympathy. The
+young soldier at once became very communicative.
+He had closely guarded his secret for more than
+two years, because there was not one among the
+rough men by whom he was surrounded who could
+understand or appreciate his feelings. But here was
+one who could sympathize with him, and it was a
+great relief to him to know that he could speak
+freely and run no risk of being laughed at for his
+weakness.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Gus Robbins," said he, moving up
+a little closer to Bob and speaking in a low, confidential
+tone. "I had as good a home as any boy
+need wish for, but I wasn't contented there; still,
+I don't believe that I ever should have left it as I
+did if circumstances had not smoothed the way for
+me. My father is the senior partner in the largest
+dry-goods store in Foxboro', and he had in his employ
+two persons, father and son, who are in a great
+measure responsible for all the trouble I have got<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>
+into. The buy was a clerk like myself, and his father
+was our bookkeeper. They had a very wealthy
+relative, a rancheman, living here in Texas, and
+when that relative died it was found that he had
+willed his property to our bookkeeper, to be held in
+trust for his (the rancheman's) son. They came to
+Texas to take charge of the estate, and after a while I
+received a letter from Ned (that was the boy's name)
+inviting me to pay him a visit. As he sent me
+money enough to bear the expenses of the journey,
+I came; and I am very sorry for it. We got ourselves
+into trouble by shooting some cattle that
+had broken into Ned's wheat-field, and had to dig
+out for Brownsville at a gallop. Ned went squarely
+back on me, and as I had no money to pay my way
+home, and hadn't the cheek to ask my father for it,
+I did what I thought to be the next best thing&mdash;I
+enlisted. I am very sorry for that too, for there
+was where I made my mistake. I ought to have
+gone back into the country and hired out to some
+stock-raiser. Then I could have gone home as
+soon as I had earned and saved money enough to
+take me there; but now I must stay my time out;
+that is, unless&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Gus paused and looked at Bob. The latter un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>derstood
+him. Here was another fellow who had
+made up his mind to desert at the first opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do that," said Bob, earnestly. "You'll
+only get yourself into trouble if you attempt it."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care if I am shot for it. I'll make a
+break for liberty the very first good chance I get."</p>
+
+<p>The tone in which these words were uttered satisfied
+Bob that it would be of no use whatever to
+argue the matter. It was plain that Gus had made
+up his mind after mature deliberation, and that he
+was not to be easily turned from his purpose.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did your friend Ned go after you reached
+Brownsville?" asked Bob, who was much interested
+in the young soldier's story.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; I left him at the hotel. He
+will come to some bad end, and so will his father,
+for they are both rascals. The property of which
+they have charge, and which brings in a big fortune
+every year, rightfully belongs to George
+Ackerman, Ned's cousin; but Ned and his father&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"George Ackerman?" exclaimed Bob, starting
+up in his bunk.</p>
+
+<p>Gus nodded his head, and looked at the recruit
+in great surprise.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Is he a cub pilot?" continued the latter.</p>
+
+<p>"'A cub pilot'?" repeated Gus. "No, he's a
+herdsman, or I ought rather to say he <i>was</i> a herdsman.
+He had stock of his own worth six thousand
+dollars. Where he is now I don't know, for
+on the morning after we left his ranche, while we
+were camped in the edge of the timber making up
+for the sleep we had lost the night before, we were
+surprised by a couple of Greasers, who made a prisoner
+of George and carried him across the river
+into Mexico. I don't know what they did with
+him, for all George could induce them to say was
+that 'Fletcher wanted to see him.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It's the same fellow," exclaimed Bob, rising
+from his blanket and seating himself on the edge
+of the bunk by his companion's side. "He told me
+all about it, but his story was so very remarkable
+that I didn't know whether to believe it or not.
+He gave those Greasers the slip, secured a berth as
+cub pilot on a Mississippi River steamer, and that
+was where I found him."</p>
+
+<p>With this introduction Bob went on to tell how
+he had saved George from going to the bottom
+when Uncle John Ackerman pushed him overboard
+from the Sam Kendall; related all the thrill<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>ing
+incidents connected with the burning of the
+steamer; described how Uncle John had tried to
+separate them in New Orleans; in short, he gave
+a truthful account of his intercourse with the cub
+pilot up to the time he deserted him in Galveston.
+Bob was heartily ashamed of that now, and could
+not bear to speak of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I became separated from him in some way&mdash;it
+is very easy to lose a companion in the crowded
+streets of a city, you know&mdash;and that was the last
+I saw of him," said Bob in conclusion; and when
+he told this he forgot that he had afterward seen
+George go into a hotel accompanied by Mr. Gilbert.
+"Then I didn't know what to do. I had no
+money; I was hungry and sleepy, utterly discouraged;
+and, like you, I sought to end my troubles
+by enlisting. I see now that I made a great mistake,
+but I am going to serve faithfully during my
+term of enlistment, if I live. Is George's ranche
+far from here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, for I am not much acquainted
+with the country east of here, never having scouted
+in that direction. It is about one hundred and
+fifty miles from Palos, if you know where that is.
+As you are George's friend, I am sorry that you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>
+enlisted, for I know that you are going to have a
+hard time of it; but since you <i>did</i> enlist, I am
+glad you were ordered to this post, for misery loves
+company, you know. Let's walk out on the parade,
+where we can talk without danger of being
+overheard. Perhaps you would like to take a look
+at the place which will always be associated in your
+mind with the most unhappy days of your existence."</p>
+
+<p>It was plain that Gus took a very gloomy view
+of things, and of course his discouraging remarks
+made an impression upon Bob, although they did
+not take away the interest he felt in his surroundings.
+Everything was new to him, and he asked
+a great many questions as he and Gus walked slowly
+around the parade toward the stables.</p>
+
+<p>Fort Lamoine was situated on a high, rocky
+eminence which overlooked the surrounding country
+for half a dozen miles or more in every direction.
+The stockade, which enclosed about two
+acres of ground, was built of upright logs deeply
+sunk in the earth. The tops were sawed off level,
+and a heavy plate of timber, through which stout
+wooden pins had been driven into the end of each
+log, held them firmly in their place. The officers'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>
+quarters, barracks, store-houses and stables were
+built in the same manner. On the outside of the
+parade were long rows of stately cottonwood trees,
+interspersed with shrubs and flowers. In one corner,
+on the right-hand side of the principal gate,
+was the well that supplied the garrison with water,
+and in the other was the flagstaff, from which floated
+the Stars and Stripes.</p>
+
+<p>"Emblem of liberty!" said Gus with a sneer as
+he pointed up at the flag&mdash;"emblem of tyranny,
+rather."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by that?" demanded Bob
+quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you will find out before you have been
+here long," replied Gus, shaking his head and
+looking very wise. "A bigger lot of tyrants than
+the officers who command us were never crowded
+into any one post."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you don't do your duty as well as you
+might?" mildly suggested Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"I know I don't. I do no more than I am
+obliged to do, I tell you, and for the simple reason
+that I didn't enlist to act as lackey to a lot of
+shoulder-straps. I am just as good as they are, but
+they say I am not. Why, the last time the paymas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>ter
+was here his little snipe of a clerk remarked in
+my hearing that enlisted men were nothing more
+than servants to the officers. What do you think
+of that?"</p>
+
+<p>Bob did not know what to think of it, so he
+said nothing in reply. He simply resolved that he
+would not pass judgment upon his superiors until
+he had had some experience with them himself.</p>
+
+<p>"This is by no means the gloomy place that I
+expected to find it," said Bob as he and Gus resumed
+their walk.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, the fort itself is good enough," replied
+Gus; "it's the people who live in it that I object
+to. If one could pick his own company, and could
+do as he pleased, he might manage to live here for
+a few years very comfortably; but we have to associate
+with some rough characters there in the barracks,
+and the officers hold us with our noses close
+to the grindstone all the time. They look upon a
+private as little better than a dog, and they'll slap
+him into the guard-house on the slightest provocation.
+Now, this is one of the stables; it will
+accommodate seventy horses. Those you see in
+here are blooded animals, and they belong to the
+officers. The government horses are always picket<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>ed
+outside, except when there is danger of a visit
+from the raiders, and then they are brought in for
+safe-keeping. Now, take a good look at the stable,
+and then come out and take another look at the
+stockade. Every night there are two sentries placed
+over this stable&mdash;one at the front, and the other at
+the rear, between the stable and the stockade&mdash;and
+a guard sleeps inside. Would you believe that, after
+all these precautions, it would be possible for anybody
+to come into the fort and steal a horse?"</p>
+
+<p>Bob said he would not.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it was done not more than two weeks
+ago," continued Gus. "One stormy night these
+two logs were removed from the stockade, and four
+of the best horses in the stable were run off. It
+must have taken hours to do the work, and although
+the sentries were changed while it was going
+on, no one knew that a theft had been committed
+until the next morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Who did it?" inquired Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"A couple of Comanches, who were surprised
+and killed by the squad that was sent in pursuit
+of them. The Comanches are acknowledged, even
+by the Indians themselves, to be the most expert
+horse-thieves on the Plains. Why, one night, when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>
+a scouting-party to which I was attached were in
+camp and fast asleep, a Comanche crept up and
+stole the lieutenant's horse; and in order to do
+it he had to cut the lariat that was tied to the officer's
+wrist. He got away with the horse, and
+never awoke one of us."</p>
+
+<p>Gus Robbins had accumulated an almost inexhaustible
+fund of such anecdotes as these during
+his two and a half years of army-life, and he related
+a good many of them to Bob while they were
+walking about the fort examining the different objects
+of interest. From some of them Bob gained
+a faint idea of what might be in store for himself.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning the newly-arrived recruits
+were formed into an awkward squad and turned
+over to the tender mercies of a grizzly old sergeant,
+who proved to be anything but an agreeable and
+patient instructor. He drilled them for four hours
+without allowing them a single moment's rest, abusing
+them roundly for every mistake they made;
+and when at last he marched them to their quarters,
+it was only that they might eat their dinner
+and take half an hour's breathing-spell preparatory
+to going through the same course of sprouts again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>
+in the afternoon. This routine was followed day
+after day until the members of the awkward squad
+were declared to be sufficiently drilled to warrant
+their appearance on dress-parade. After that they
+were assigned to the different troops (or companies)
+that stood the most in need of men, Bob, to his
+delight, finding himself in the same troop to which
+his new friend, Gus Robbins, belonged. But even
+then their troubles did not cease. Instead of drilling
+eight hours each day, they drilled six, and were
+obliged to do guard-duty besides. Among the three
+hundred and eighty men who composed the garrison
+there were not a few old soldiers who hated this
+hard work as cordially as some of the new-comers
+did, and there was a good deal of grumbling among
+them; but Bob Owens never uttered a word of complaint.
+Firmly adhering to the resolution he had
+made when he first enlisted, he set himself to work
+to learn just what was required of him, and when
+he found out what his duty was, he did it cheerfully
+and faithfully. He was always on hand when
+he was wanted, his equipments were always ready
+for inspection, and his horse shone like satin.
+When his own steed had been fed and groomed, he
+turned his attention to the horse belonging to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>
+lieutenant who commanded the troop to which he
+belonged, and thereby aroused the indignation of
+some of his brother-soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you doing that for?" demanded
+Gus Robbins one day as he and Bristow entered
+the stable and found Bob busy at work grooming
+the lieutenant's horse. "You are in pretty business,
+I must say!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I rather like it," answered Bob. "I always
+liked to work about horses, and I am doing this
+because I haven't anything else to do just now."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I wouldn't do it any more if I were in
+your place," continued Gus. "The law expressly
+prohibits an officer from compelling, or even
+hiring, an enlisted man to do his dirty work."</p>
+
+<p>"It does, does it?" exclaimed Bob. "Didn't
+you tell me when I just came here that enlisted
+men were nothing but servants to their officers?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't mean that, exactly," stammered Gus.
+"What I <i>did</i> mean was, that they don't treat us
+like human beings. If an officer wants a servant,
+he must hire a civilian and pay him out of his
+own pocket; that's what the law says."</p>
+
+<p>"I am aware of that fact; but the law doesn't
+say that I shall not groom the lieutenant's horse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>
+if I choose to do it of my own free will, does
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let the toady alone, Robbins," said Bristow
+angrily. "The troop hasn't got all the non-coms
+that it is entitled to, and Owens is working for
+chevrons. You know the lieutenant said the
+other day that there were four corporals' and two
+duty sergeants' warrants waiting for those who
+were willing to win them; and this is the way
+Owens is going to work to get one of them."</p>
+
+<p>Bob straightened up, looked sharply at Bristow
+for a moment, and then drew back the brush he
+held in his hand, as if he had half a mind to throw
+it at his head.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what all the boys say, Bob," observed
+Gus. "If you want to keep on the right side
+of the privates, you must not try to curry favor
+with the officers."</p>
+
+<p>"If you want a non-com's warrant, why don't
+you wait until you get a chance to win it in battle?"
+added Bristow. "That's what I intend to
+do, and I shall think much more of a promotion
+earned in that way than I should of one I had
+gained by cleaning an officer's horse."</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, fellows," said Bob earnestly: "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>
+don't do this work for the lieutenant because I
+hope to gain anything by it. I do it simply to
+pass away the time, for I can't see any fun in
+loafing about the quarters doing nothing. If
+the boys don't like it, let's see them help themselves."</p>
+
+<p>"If the lieutenant was a decent man, I wouldn't
+say a word," answered Bristow. "But he is so
+mean that I wouldn't turn my hand over to save
+his life."</p>
+
+<p>"Anybody with half an eye could see what is
+the matter with you," retorted Bob. "You have
+been in the guard-house about half the time since
+you have been here, and spent the other half in
+doing extra duty; and that's the reason you don't
+like the lieutenant. If you will wake up and attend
+to business, he will treat you well enough."</p>
+
+<p>Bob's prompt and soldier-like way of performing
+the work that was required of him very soon
+attracted the attention of Lieutenant Earle (that
+was the name of the officer in command of the
+troop to which Bob belonged), and he took his
+own way to reward him for it. If he was ordered
+off on a scout, Bob Owens was always one of the
+"picked men" who accompanied him. If he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>
+sent out with a squad during the full of the moon
+to watch the ford a few miles below the fort, Bob
+was one of the members of that squad. This did
+not excite the jealousy of the good soldiers, for
+they were always glad to have a brave comrade
+to back them up in times of danger, no matter
+whether he was a greenhorn or a veteran; but
+the grumblers and the discontented ones, especially
+those who belonged to his own troop, had a good
+deal to say about it, and declared that the lieutenant
+took Bob with him on his expeditions to pay
+him for grooming his horse. They disliked him
+cordially, and it was not long before an incident
+happened that caused the dislike of at least one
+of them to grow into positive hatred.</p>
+
+<p>One pleasant afternoon some of the men received
+permission to go outside the gates for a short
+stroll. They wandered off in squads, some going
+one way and some another, and Bristow and two
+companions&mdash;one of whom was Gus Robbins&mdash;bent
+their steps toward the crumbling remains of
+an old adobe outpost which marked the spot where
+more than one desperate fight with the Apaches
+had taken place in the days gone by. There they
+seated themselves and entered into conversation,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>
+Bristow's first words indicating that they were about
+to discuss a subject that had before occupied their
+attention.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you, Robbins," said he, "if you are
+in earnest in what you say, now is the time to
+prove it."</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly am in earnest," answered Gus;
+"but, to tell you the honest truth, I am
+afraid."</p>
+
+<p>"'Afraid'!" repeated Bristow in a tone of
+contempt. "What in the world are you afraid
+of?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of pursuit," replied Gus. "If we resist, we
+run the risk of being shot; and if we are captured,
+we stand an excellent chance of going to
+prison."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Robbins," said Bristow earnestly, "let
+me once more explain our arrangements to you,
+and you will see that we do not risk anything.
+In the first place, the horses are left picketed
+outside the stockade every night. They are never
+brought in, as you know, unless there is danger
+of a visit from the raiders. Four of the six men
+who are to act as horse-guards to-night belong to
+our party. When the time for action arrives, these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>
+four men will go to work on the other two and
+try to induce them to accompany us. If they don't
+succeed, they'll bind and gag them, and so put it
+out of their power to give the alarm. The sentry
+who will be on duty between the stable and the
+stockade is also one of us, and of course he will
+raise no objection when we slip out of the quarters,
+one by one, and climb the stockade. As fast as
+we get over we will select our horses&mdash;I've got
+mine picked out, and I could put my hand on him
+in the darkest of nights&mdash;and when the last one
+has made his escape we'll mount and put off.
+Of course we hope to escape by running, but if
+we can't do that, we shall turn at bay and make
+a fight of it. We have all sworn to stand by one
+another to the last, and thirty determined, well-armed
+men can make things lively for a while,
+I tell you."</p>
+
+<p>Bristow continued to talk in this strain for half
+an hour, his companion now and then putting in a
+word to assist him; and he talked to such good
+purpose that Gus Robbins finally consented to make
+one of the large party that was to desert the post
+that very night. Bristow then gave him the names
+of the other members&mdash;there were several non-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>commissioned
+officers among them&mdash;and after urging
+him to be very careful of himself, and to say
+and do nothing that might arouse the suspicions
+of "outsiders," the three got upon their feet and
+walked toward the fort.</p>
+
+<p>They had scarcely left the ruins when a fatigue-cap
+arose from behind a pile of rubbish scarcely a
+dozen feet from the place where the three conspirators
+had been sitting, and a pair of eyes looking
+out from under the peak of that cap watched
+them as they moved away.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>BOB'S FIRST COMMAND.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The eyes that were so closely watching the
+movements of Bristow and his companions belonged
+to Bob Owens. The latter had strolled off
+alone, and thrown himself behind an angle of the
+ruined wall to indulge in a few moments' quiet
+meditation, and thus unwillingly placed himself in
+a position to overhear the details of the plot which
+we have just disclosed. If Bristow had not so
+promptly entered upon the discussion of the subject
+of desertion, Bob would have made his presence
+known to him; but after he had listened to
+the first words that fell from his lips he thought it
+best to remain quietly in his place of concealment,
+for he knew that if he revealed himself, then he
+would be accused of playing the part of eavesdropper.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, here's a go!" thought Bob, rising to his
+feet when he saw Bristow and his two friends walk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>
+through the gate into the fort, "and I wish somebody
+would be kind enough to tell me what I
+ought to do about it. Shall I stand quietly by and
+let them go, or shall I tell the officers what I have
+heard? If I let them go, they will run the risk of
+being gobbled up by that party of Kiowas who are
+now raiding the country north of us; and if I tell
+the colonel, and it should ever be found out on me,
+I should lead a hard life in the quarters. I wish
+I had been somewhere else when they came here."</p>
+
+<p>Thrusting his hands deep into his pockets, Bob
+left the ruins, and, walking slowly around the
+stockade, entered at a gate on the opposite side.
+His first care was to hunt up the sergeant-major
+of his regiment, whom he found in the quarters.
+This man had grown gray in the service, and he
+was a soldier all over&mdash;brave, faithful and untiring
+in the performance of his duty. He readily responded
+to Bob's significant wink, and followed
+him out on the parade.</p>
+
+<p>"Sergeant," said Bob as soon as they were beyond
+earshot of everybody, "I have accidentally
+come into the possession of a secret, and I don't
+know what to do with it. There are thirty men in
+the garrison who are going to desert to-night."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The old fellow took a fresh chew of tobacco,
+pushed his cap on the back of his head and looked
+at Bob, who, after telling him where he had been
+and how he happened to overhear the plot, continued:</p>
+
+<p>"It would never do to let them go. You know
+I was detailed to act as the colonel's orderly this
+morning, and I heard that scout who came in just
+before noon tell him that there is a large party of
+hostiles between here and Fort Tyler. These deserters
+intend to take their weapons with them,
+and think they can make a good fight; but those
+Kiowas are strong enough to annihilate them."</p>
+
+<p>"Small loss that would be to us!" growled the
+veteran. "We are going to have some hot work
+to do before long, and such men are no good in a
+fight."</p>
+
+<p>"It would never do to let them go," repeated
+Bob, "but there is only one way to prevent it that
+I can see; and that is by telling the colonel all
+about it. If I do that, and they should find it out,
+they would go back on me, sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course they would," said the sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what would you do if you were in my
+place?" asked Bob.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What would I do? I would go straight to
+the officer of the day and tell him the whole thing.
+The good-will of such men don't amount to anything,
+any way, and what do you care if they do
+go back on you? There's only thirty of them,
+and that leaves three hundred and fifty good fellows
+who will always be ready to befriend you.
+Do you know who these deserters are? I'll report
+the matter if you are afraid, and then let's see one
+of them open his head to me."</p>
+
+<p>Bob repeated the names of the would-be deserters
+which Bristow had given as nearly as he could recall
+them, and the sergeant hurried off to hunt up
+the officer of the day, while Bob went back into
+the quarters. He had been there but a few minutes
+when the orderly appeared at the door and
+sung out,</p>
+
+<p>"Owens, the colonel wants to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" exclaimed Bristow, "our good little boy
+has been doing something bad at last.&mdash;There are
+no bunks in the guard-house, Owens."</p>
+
+<p>Bob made no reply. He followed the orderly
+across the parade and into the colonel's head-quarters,
+where he found the officer of the day, the
+sergeant-major and all the ranking officers of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>
+garrison. The colonel questioned him closely in
+regard to the plot he had discovered, and finally
+dismissed him and the sergeant without making
+any comments. Half an hour later the entire
+cavalry force of the garrison was drawn up in
+line, the names of forty men who were ordered to
+the front and centre were read off, and the rest of
+the troopers were sent back to their quarters.
+Then the bugle sounded "Boots and saddles!" and
+in a few minutes more these forty men&mdash;one of
+whom was Bob Owens&mdash;rode out of the gate, led
+by the scout who had brought the information
+concerning that war-party of Kiowas. The squad
+was commanded by Lieutenant Earle.</p>
+
+<p>"That's all right," whispered Bristow to one of
+his fellow-conspirators as they stood in front of their
+quarters and saw their comrades ride away. "There
+will be just so many men less to follow us to-morrow
+morning. But I wish we knew which
+way they are going," he added in a tone of anxiety;
+"and we must find out if we can. We don't want
+to run into them if we can possibly avoid them, for
+there are some of the best men in the garrison in
+that party."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose we are off after the hostiles," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>
+the soldier who rode by Bob's side. "The scout
+told the colonel that there were three hundred
+braves in that party, didn't he?"</p>
+
+<p>Bob answered that that was what he understood
+him to say.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I wish we had a hundred men instead
+of forty," continued the trooper. "Our squad is
+too large to conceal itself, and too small to make a
+successful fight against such overwhelming odds.
+Well, if worst comes to worst&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The speaker thrust his hand into his boot-leg
+and drew out a loaded Derringer. He intended
+to send its contents through his own head rather
+than fall alive into the hands of the hostiles.
+Probably nine out of ten men in that squad were
+provided with weapons just like it, and which they
+intended to use in the same way should circumstances
+require it. Veteran Indian-fighters never
+fail to give this advice to a recruit: "When it
+comes to a fight, save the last shot for yourself."</p>
+
+<p>But, as it happened, Bob and his companions
+were not out after hostiles on this particular afternoon,
+for that raiding-party of Kiowas was already
+beyond the reach of any force that the commander<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>
+of Fort Lamoine could have sent in pursuit of it.
+They found out in due time that their mission
+was of an entirely different character. They rode
+at a sharp trot until it was nearly dark, and then
+they went into camp in a belt of post-oaks and
+cooked and ate their supper. After an hour's rest
+they mounted and rode back toward the fort again.
+Arriving within a mile of the stockade, a halt was
+ordered, the men were dismounted, and, every
+fourth trooper being left to hold the horses, the
+others marched off through the darkness, armed
+only with their revolvers. Then Bob began to
+understand the matter. The object of the expedition
+was to capture the deserters. It had been led
+away from the fort simply as a "blind," and in
+order to lull the malcontents into a feeling of security
+no change whatever had been made in
+the guards who were to do duty that night.</p>
+
+<p>After the lieutenant had marched about half a
+mile another halt was ordered, and sixteen men,
+divided into squads of four men each, were told off
+to begin the work. The officer approached each
+squad in turn, and after designating some one to
+take charge of it, gave him his instructions in a
+whisper. When he walked up to Bob he asked,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do you know where post No. 4 is? and can
+you go straight to it without making any mistake?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, to both your questions," was the
+prompt reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. Take command of this squad and
+go and arrest Dodd, whom you will find on guard
+there. Then put Carey in his place, and come back
+and report to me at post No. 1, and I will tell you
+what else to do. The countersign," added the lieutenant,
+coming a step nearer to Bob and speaking in a
+tone so low that no one else could catch his words,
+"is 'Custer.' Be quick and still. Forward, march!"</p>
+
+<p>As Bob moved away with his squad he told himself
+that fidelity is sometimes appreciated. This
+was his first command, and he knew that much depended
+upon the way in which he executed the orders
+that had been given him. If they were faithfully
+and skilfully carried out, he might hope to
+be entrusted with other commands in future, and
+so be given opportunities to distinguish himself and
+win promotion; for Bob, like every ambitious boy,
+was anxious to get ahead as rapidly as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, Owens?" asked all the
+members of his squad in concert as soon as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>
+were out of the lieutenant's hearing. They were
+all in the dark, and so was every man belonging
+to the expedition with the exception of the lieutenant,
+the sergeant-major and Bob Owens. The latter
+explained the state of affairs in as few words
+as he could, and the general verdict was that it
+would have been no loss to the garrison, or to the
+service either, if Bristow and his companions had
+been permitted to depart in peace.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes Bob and his men arrived within
+sight of the place where the horses were staked
+out, and a hoarse voice broke the stillness. "Halt!
+Who comes there?" was the challenge.</p>
+
+<p>"Friends, with the countersign," answered Bob
+after bringing his squad to a halt.</p>
+
+<p>"Advance, one friend, and give the countersign,"
+was the next command.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, boys," said Bob in a low whisper, "you
+stay here, and when I call out 'Advance, squad,'
+come up briskly and surround Dodd, so as to be
+ready to overpower him if he shows the least disposition
+to resist or cry out."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, Bob moved off in the direction from
+which the hail sounded, and presently discovered
+the sentry, who stood at "arms port."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Halt!" commanded the guard when Bob had
+approached within a few feet of him. "Give the
+countersign."</p>
+
+<p>Bob whispered the magic word.</p>
+
+<p>"The countersign is correct," said the sentry,
+bringing his carbine to a carry.&mdash;"It's you, is it,
+Owens? What's the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Advance, squad," said Bob in a low tone.
+"You haven't seen anything suspicious going on
+about your post, have you?" he added, wishing to
+occupy the sentry's attention until his men could
+come within supporting distance of him. "No?
+Well, I am sorry to say that there is something
+suspicious about <i>you</i>, and I am ordered to put you
+in arrest."</p>
+
+<p>He laid hold of the carbine as he said this, and
+at the same moment two of his men placed their
+hands upon the sentinel's shoulders. The latter,
+seeing that resistance was useless, promptly gave up
+his piece and dropped his hands by his sides. "It's
+all that Bristow's work," said he in angry tones.
+"I knew he wouldn't do to tie to."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't say too much," interposed Bob. "You
+don't want to condemn yourself.&mdash;Carey, take
+this post until relieved."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As Bob marched his squad and his prisoner to the
+place where he was to meet his commanding officer,
+he found the intervening posts in the charge of
+trusty men. Four of the discontented ones had
+been secured, and it only remained for the lieutenant
+to perfect arrangements for seizing the others as
+fast as they came out of the fort. He had already
+decided upon his plan of operations, and Bob
+Owens was called upon to take the first step toward
+carrying it out. After he had listened to some
+very explicit instructions from his commander, he
+stole off into the darkness, and, creeping along the
+outside of the stockade until he reached a point opposite
+the place where the sentry was posted behind
+the stables, he stopped and waited to see what was
+going to happen. About ten feet from him on his
+left was another soldier, standing upright and motionless
+in the shadow of the stockade. Ten feet
+beyond this soldier was another. These were all
+that Bob could see, but he knew that there were
+good men and true stationed at regular intervals all
+along the stockade, waiting to act the several parts
+that had been assigned to them.</p>
+
+<p>Bob waited and listened for a quarter of an hour
+or more, and then he heard a conversation carried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>
+on in a low tone on the other side of the stockade.
+He could not catch the words, but he knew that
+the deserters were beginning to bestir themselves,
+and that one of their number was talking with the
+sentry. Presently a scratching, scrambling sound,
+accompanied by heavy, labored breathing and those
+incoherent exclamations that men sometimes use
+when they are exerting themselves to the utmost,
+told Bob that somebody was making his way up
+the logs. Keeping his eyes fastened on the top, he
+saw a soldier climb up and seat himself on the
+plate. He could see him very plainly against the
+light background of the sky, and he recognized
+him at once. It was Bristow. He was about to
+swing himself off when he discovered Bob standing
+beneath him. He stopped, peered down into
+the darkness for a moment, and then called out
+in a frightened whisper,</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's all right," whispered Bob in reply; "come
+on."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it, I say?" repeated Bristow in still
+more earnest tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, don't you know Dodd? Hand me your
+carbine."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" said Bristow with a great sigh of relief.
+"It <i>is</i> all right, isn't it? Here you are."</p>
+
+<p>Holding his carbine by the strap, Bristow passed
+it down to Bob, who promptly slung it upon
+his back. The latter then pushed up his sleeves,
+moved back a little from the stockade, and when
+Bristow swung himself down by his hands and
+dropped lightly to the ground, Bob stepped up
+and took him by the arm.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't need any help," said Bristow, who
+had landed squarely on his feet. "But I say,
+Dodd&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"We'll talk about it as we go along," interrupted
+Bob. "But not a loud word out of you, unless you
+want to be gagged."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, good gracious, it's Owens!" gasped Bristow,
+reeling back against the stockade. He did
+not ask what Bob was doing there or why he had
+seized him, for he knew without asking.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is Owens, and the men you saw ride
+out of the gate with me this afternoon are with
+me now. Here's one of them," added Bob as a
+soldier named Loring stepped up and took his
+place in readiness to catch the next deserter who
+came over the stockade.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Just then the sentry on the inside placed his
+mouth close to one of the cracks between the logs
+and asked, in a cautious tone,</p>
+
+<p>"How is it, Bristow? Is the coast clear?"</p>
+
+<p>"All clear," replied Loring, speaking through
+the same crack. "Tell the boys to hurry up;
+we've no time to waste."</p>
+
+<p>If Bob's captive had any idea of attempting to
+escape or of alarming his companions by crying
+out, he abandoned it very quickly when he saw
+the soldiers that were stationed along the stockade.
+There was a trooper for every deserter, and as fast
+as the man at the head of the line caught one, another
+moved up and took his place.</p>
+
+<p>"This bangs me!" said Bristow, in great disgust.
+"Now comes a court-martial of course, and Goodness
+only knows what will come after that&mdash;the
+guard-house and a heavy fine, or the military
+prison at Fort Leavenworth.&mdash;I say, Owens, how
+did the colonel find it out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you suppose he tells his secrets to us privates?"
+asked Bob in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"We spoke to somebody who was not worthy of
+the confidence we placed in him," continued Bristow.
+"The thing never could have become known<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>
+unless one of our own number had proved treacherous.
+But we can easily find out who he is. There
+are just thirty of us, and if there are only twenty-nine
+arrested, the missing man is the guilty one.
+When I find out who he is, I shall take particular
+pains to see that the next battle he gets into is his
+last."</p>
+
+<p>This threat was uttered in a very low tone of
+voice, for Bristow and his captor had by this time
+reached the place where the lieutenant had stationed
+himself to receive his men when they came in with
+their prisoners. Bob reported, "Your orders have
+been obeyed, sir," and took his stand close behind
+his officer.</p>
+
+<p>"I counted only twenty-six," said Bristow when
+the sergeant-major came up and announced the complete
+success of the undertaking. "There must be
+four traitors among us."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you counted in the horse-guards?" asked
+Bob. "There they are on the top of that
+ridge."</p>
+
+<p>No, Bristow had not counted them in, for he
+did not know until that minute that they had
+been arrested. He was very much astonished when
+he learned that every one of his party had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>
+secured, and could not for the life of him imagine
+how the colonel had found out about it; for that
+he knew <i>all</i> about it was evident from the manner
+in which the arrests had been effected.</p>
+
+<p>Having sent one of his men back to order up
+the horses, the lieutenant formed his captives in
+line, threw a guard around them and marched them
+into the fort. Halting them on the parade, he went
+in to report to the colonel, and when he came out
+again he put every one of them into the guard-house;
+after which Bob and his companions went
+to the quarters and tumbled into their bunks.</p>
+
+<p>Great was the astonishment among the soldiers
+the next morning when it became known that the
+expedition, which they supposed had gone out
+in search of the hostiles, had returned to the fort
+and captured thirty armed men, and that the
+work had been done so quietly that the sentry
+at the gate never knew anything about it until
+it was all over. Of course they were quite at
+a loss to determine who it was that told the colonel
+about it; and the general impression seemed
+to be that if there were a traitor among the
+deserters, he had allowed himself to be captured
+with the others in order to avoid suspicion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Among the non-commissioned officers who had
+attempted to desert was one of the corporals belonging
+to Bob's troop, and the next morning Bob
+was ordered to take his place and do duty as corporal
+of the guard. He saw the prisoners served
+with breakfast, and the numerous orders he had
+to give opened the eyes of one of them, who began
+to think he had made a discovery. And so
+he had, but he could not prove it.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what's a fact, boys," said Bristow
+as he walked to a remote corner of his prison with
+a cup of coffee in one hand and some cracker and
+bacon in the other: "I know whom we have to
+thank for our arrest."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it?" asked a dozen voices at once.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to send him my compliments in the
+shape of a bullet from my carbine," said the corporal
+whose place Bob was then filling. "Tell us
+who he is, so that we can improve the first chance
+to get even with him."</p>
+
+<p>"There he is," said Bristow, shaking his piece
+of cracker at Bob. "He has been trying to get
+on the blind side of the officers for a long time,
+as you all know, and he has accomplished his
+object at last by going back on his comrades."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The prisoners looked at Bob as if they expected
+him to deny the accusation; but, to the disappointment
+of some of them who really liked him, he
+had nothing to say.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you speak up and declare that
+it isn't so?" demanded the corporal.</p>
+
+<p>"Because he dare not," exclaimed Bristow. "He
+couldn't without telling a lie, and, as he is a good
+little boy, he wouldn't do that for the world."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe he did it," said another of the
+culprits. "He is not one of us, and how could he
+have found it out? I believe that the traitor is
+right here in the guard-house under arrest."</p>
+
+<p>"I know he isn't," declared Bristow. "Bob
+Owens is the only traitor there is, and you may
+depend upon it. Now, let me tell you just what
+is going to happen when the court-martial comes
+off: it will be proved to the satisfaction of all of
+you that Owens found out about our plans in some
+way or other, and went straight to the colonel with
+them. You will be disrated, Corporal Jim, and
+Lieutenant Earle, in order to reward Bob for carrying
+tales and to encourage him to carry more,
+will give him your place. Why, he has just as
+good as got the stripes on his arm now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Corporal Jim looked daggers at Bob, and declared
+that if he was the one who had disclosed
+their plot to the colonel, he was too mean for any
+use, and ought to be drummed out of the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"I promised that if I ever found out who the
+informer was I would serve him worse than that,"
+said Bristow in savage tones. "I shall keep my
+promise, too, if I ever get the chance, for I am
+one who never forgets an injury."</p>
+
+<p>Bob Owens&mdash;who, as we know, was not wanting
+in physical courage&mdash;was not at all alarmed by this
+threat and a good many others like it to which he
+listened during the fifteen minutes the prisoners
+were occupied in eating their breakfast. He believed
+that he was able to take care of No. 1; and
+when the critical time came, as it did a few weeks
+later, he proved to the satisfaction of everybody
+that his confidence in himself was not misplaced.</p>
+
+<p>The court-martial was not long delayed, and
+the findings being approved by the proper authorities,
+the sentences were promptly carried out.
+The culprits were confined in the guard-house for
+different periods of time, those who had been the
+most active in inducing their comrades to desert
+serving a longer sentence than their victims, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>
+fines were imposed upon all of them, Bristow's
+being by far the heaviest, as he was proved to be
+the ringleader. He and Gus Robbins&mdash;both of
+whom had been almost constantly in trouble ever
+since they arrived at the post&mdash;were given to understand
+that if they were detected in another attempt
+at desertion they could make up their minds
+to see the inside of the military prison at Fort
+Leavenworth. Bristow proved to be a first-class
+prophet. During the progress of the trial it came
+out that Bob Owens was the one who discovered the
+plot, and that through him it was communicated
+to the colonel. Corporal Jim was of course reduced
+to the ranks, and Bob was promoted to fill
+the vacancy.</p>
+
+<p>During the next few weeks nothing of interest
+happened at the fort. The deserters were released
+as fast as the terms for which they were sentenced
+expired, some of them penitent and fully resolved to
+do better in future, while the others were more than
+ever determined to escape from military control, in
+spite of all the officers and guards that could be
+placed around them. They carried out their determination,
+too, at every opportunity, deserting in
+parties numbering half a dozen or so, and they gen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>erally
+succeeded in eluding pursuit. It was a singular
+fact that when the pursuers were commanded
+by commissioned officers they very often returned
+without having accomplished anything, but when
+they were commanded by sergeants or corporals they
+were almost always successful. Luck was on the
+side of the "non-coms," and the colonel finally
+learned to put a great deal of confidence in them.
+Bob Owens was particularly fortunate in this respect,
+and that was the reason his superior sent for
+him one morning after the officer of the day had
+reported that seven men had deserted during the
+previous night, taking their arms and a supply of
+ammunition with them.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Corporal," said the commandant, taking
+off his eye-glasses with a jerk, as he always
+did when he was about to say something emphatic,
+"there are the names of seven men who deserted last
+night. I want you to take command of a squad and
+follow them up and arrest them."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir," replied Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know which way they went, or anything
+about it," continued the colonel. "That is something
+you will have to find out for yourself. I <i>do</i>
+know, however, that they went on foot, and that
+they are armed and well supplied with ammunition.
+I want you to capture them at all hazards&mdash;at all
+hazards, I say," repeated the colonel, bringing his
+open hand down upon the table with a ringing
+slap. "If you come back without them you need
+not offer any excuses, for I shall not listen to them.
+Arrest anybody you catch outside the stockade<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>
+wearing a United States uniform, no matter who
+he is. There have been no passes granted this
+morning, and no one except the guards and the
+officer of the day has any business outside. That's
+all."</p>
+
+<p>Bob saluted and hurried from the room. As
+he passed through the hall he glanced at the list he
+held in his hand, and saw that it was headed by the
+names of Bristow and Gus Robbins.</p>
+
+<p>"This is about the easiest job I have had yet,
+and these fellows are just as good as captured
+already," said he to himself. "I know right where
+to look for them, and I wouldn't be in their shoes
+for all the money the paymaster had in his safe the
+last time he was here. They are booked for Leavenworth,
+sure.&mdash;May I go out, Willis?" he asked
+of the sentry at the gate; "I am acting under
+orders."</p>
+
+<p>"That's all right," was the reply; "the officer
+of the day told me to pass you. You are going
+after those deserters, I suppose? Well, now, look
+here," added the sentry, after looking all around to
+make sure that there was no officer in sight: "you
+remember those mulewhackers who brought that
+freight here the other day, don't you? Well, Bris<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>tow
+and the rest have gone off to join them. I am
+certain of it, for I heard Bristow talking with them,
+and they assured him that the wagon-master would
+give him steady work and good wages if he would
+hire out to him. Bristow didn't hesitate to talk
+with them about it in the presence of a dozen of
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"That was only a ruse on his part," said Bob
+confidently. "If I followed the trail of those
+teamsters I should have my trouble for my pains.
+I am going as straight toward Brownsville as I
+can go, and I shall have my hand on Mr. Bristow's
+collar before I have gone thirty miles. You may
+rest assured that I shall not come back without
+him, for if I do I don't know what the colonel
+will say to me."</p>
+
+<p>Bob hastened toward the place where the horses
+were picketed, and there he found the officer of the
+day and the six picked men who had been detailed
+to accompany him. It was the work of but a
+few minutes to lead their horses into the fort and
+put the saddles and bridles on them; and when this
+had been done, and Bob and his men had secured
+their carbines, sabres and revolvers and put two
+days' rations in their haversacks, they mounted and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>
+rode through the gate at a sharp trot. They were
+quiet and orderly enough as long as they remained
+within sight of the fort, but when the first ridge
+over which they passed shut them out from view
+they abandoned their efforts to keep in column,
+threw off all restraint and shouted and sang at
+the top of their voices. They looked upon an
+expedition like this as a "lark," and enjoyed it
+as much as a schoolboy enjoys a picnic.</p>
+
+<p>Bob did not stop at the first ranches he passed,
+for he knew that the deserters (provided, of course,
+that they had fled along that trail) must have gone
+by them in the night, and that consequently their
+inmates could give him no information. Besides,
+Bob had learned by experience that there was very
+little confidence to be placed in anything the ranchemen
+might say regarding a deserter. A good many
+of them had served in the army during the war,
+and, knowing how very hard is the life a soldier
+leads, they sympathized with him in his efforts to
+escape, and aided him by every means in their
+power. Where there was one farmer or stock-raiser
+who would give a squad like Bob's any
+information that could be relied on, there were a
+dozen who would conceal the deserter in their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>
+houses and send his pursuers off on the wrong
+trail.</p>
+
+<p>After Bob and his troopers had ridden about
+fifteen miles, and had shouted and sung off a little
+of their surplus enthusiasm, they relapsed into
+silence and settled down to business. They halted
+on the top of every ridge to survey the country before
+them, and called at every ranche that lay along
+their route; but nothing was to be seen or heard of
+Bristow and his party. About noon they came within
+sight of a squatter's cabin, and Bob decided to
+stop there and eat dinner. The owner of the cabin
+was at home, and he welcomed the horsemen with
+every appearance of cordiality.</p>
+
+<p>"Alight an' hitch, strangers," said he, when he
+had succeeded in quieting the small army of dogs
+which came out from under the cabin to dispute
+the further advance of the troopers. "You're as
+welcome as the flowers in May."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Bob as he swung himself from
+his saddle. "We intend to stop here and rest for
+an hour or so. We'll boil our coffee and cook our
+rations on your stove, if you have no objections."</p>
+
+<p>"I ain't got no stove," replied the squatter hastily&mdash;"leastways,
+none that you can do cookin' on,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>
+he added, with some confusion, when he saw Bob
+and one or two of his men look up at the stovepipe
+which projected above the roof.</p>
+
+<p>"All right!" replied the corporal, silencing by
+a look one of the troopers who was about to say
+something. "Then we shall have to build a fire
+outside; but that will do just as well, for we are
+used to cooking our grub in that way.&mdash;Now,
+Carey, if you and Loring will skirmish around
+and find some wood and start the coffee-pot going,
+we will look out for your nags."</p>
+
+<p>"Corporal," whispered one of the troopers,
+"there's a bug under that chip. In other words,
+this old rascal has some reason for wishing to keep
+us out of his cabin."</p>
+
+<p>"Say nothing out loud," replied Bob with a
+warning gesture. "We are on the right track,
+and I know it. If we fail now, it will be through
+our own blundering."</p>
+
+<p>Having seen the horses staked out, Bob walked
+back to the cabin, and found the squatter in conversation
+with Carey and Loring. His first words
+indicated that he had been trying to pump them,
+but without success.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, soldier, where might you be a-travellin'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>
+to?" he asked as Bob came up. "I asked them
+two fellows, an' they told me I had better ask
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"We are looking for seven deserters who passed
+this way some time this morning," answered Bob.
+"They were on foot and carried carbines. Seen
+anything of such a party?"</p>
+
+<p>The squatter brought his hands together with a
+loud slap before he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"I jest knowed them fellows wasn't what they
+allowed they was," said he. "In course I seed 'em,
+an' they told me they was a-lookin' for deserters
+themselves. They went off that way, toward the
+old Brazos trail," added the squatter, pointing in
+a direction which lay exactly at right angles with
+the course Bob had been pursuing.</p>
+
+<p>"Did they?" exclaimed the corporal with a great
+show of eagerness. "Thank you for the information.
+We will go that way too as soon as we
+have eaten dinner. How long ago did they pass
+this way?"</p>
+
+<p>"Jest at daylight."</p>
+
+<p>"That's another lie," said Bob to himself. "They
+didn't desert until after midnight, and they couldn't
+have travelled between fifteen and twenty miles in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>
+less than five hours on foot. An infantryman might
+do it on a pinch, but a trooper couldn't."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll have to hurry up if you want to ketch
+'em," continued the squatter, who seemed to grow
+nervous when he saw how deliberately the troopers
+went about their preparations for dinner. "They
+was a-lumberin' along right peart."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, there's no need that we should throw ourselves
+into a perspiration," replied Bob indifferently.
+"We don't care if we don't find them for
+a week. You see, when we are out on an expedition
+like this we are not obliged to drill, and our
+pay goes on just the same. If you have anything
+good to eat, trot it out; we're wealthy."</p>
+
+<p>But the squatter protested that he had nothing in
+his cabin except bacon and crackers, and his supply
+of these necessary articles was so small that he
+could not possibly spare any of it. He said so
+much on this point that the troopers would have
+been dull indeed if they had not suspected something.</p>
+
+<p>"He wants to get us away from here, doesn't
+he?" said Carey as soon as he had a chance to
+speak to Bob. "He thinks that if he provides us
+with a good dinner we will spend a long time in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>
+eating it. Now, corporal, I will bet you anything
+you please that&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I know," interrupted Bob, "and I want you to
+take a look into the matter at once. This is my
+plan."</p>
+
+<p>Here Bob whispered some rapid instructions to
+the trooper, who winked first one eye and then the
+other to show that he understood them. Pulling
+his pipe from his pocket, he proceeded to fill it
+with tobacco, while Bob walked up to the squatter,
+and, taking him confidentially by the arm, said,
+as he led him out of earshot of the men, who had
+seated themselves about the fire,</p>
+
+<p>"May I have a word with you in private?
+You see, I am an officer, and it won't do for me
+to talk too freely in the presence of those I command."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, Bob led the squatter behind the cabin
+and began making some very particular inquiries
+concerning Bristow and his party: What sort of
+looking fellows were they? What did they say?
+Did they get anything to eat at the cabin? and did
+his friend the squatter really think they had gone
+toward the old Brazos trail? The man was very
+uneasy, and seemed impatient to go back to the fire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>
+again; but by holding fast to his arm, and plying
+him with such questions as these, Bob managed to
+keep him behind the cabin for about five minutes,
+and that was long enough for Carey to carry out
+the orders that had been given him.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Bob and the squatter disappeared
+around the corner of the cabin, Carey put his pipe
+into his mouth, and, enjoining silence upon his
+comrades by shaking his fore finger at them, he
+quickly mounted the steps that led to the porch
+and walked into the cabin. As he did so there was
+a faint rustling in one corner of the room, and, looking
+over his left shoulder without turning his head,
+Carey saw a man who was lying on a rude couch
+draw a blanket quickly over his face. In his eagerness
+to conceal his features the man probably forgot
+that he had a pair of feet, for he pulled the
+blanket up a little too high.</p>
+
+<p>"Aha! my fine lad," said the trooper as he noiselessly
+opened the stove-door and looked into it, as
+if he were searching for a live coal with which to
+light his pipe, "I see a pair of No. 12 army brogans,
+and also the lower portions of a pair of light
+blue breeches with a yellow stripe down the seams.
+Bryant, my boy, that's you. I see also that this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>
+stove is in perfect order, but as there are no coals
+in it, I'll have to get a light at the fire outside."</p>
+
+<p>When Carey came out of the cabin his comrades'
+faces were full of inquiry, but the trooper only
+winked at them and nodded his head, as if to say
+that he could tell something that would astonish
+them if he only felt so disposed.</p>
+
+<p>By this time dinner was ready, and Loring's
+loud call of "Coffee!" brought Bob and the squatter
+from behind the cabin. The latter accepted
+Loring's invitation to drink a cup of coffee with
+"the boys," but he disposed of it in great haste,
+hot as it was, as if he hoped by his example to induce
+them to do likewise. But Bob and his companions
+were in no hurry. They lingered a long
+time over their homely meal, and then the smokers
+were allowed to empty a pipe apiece before the order
+was given to "catch up." The squatter began
+to breathe easier after that, and when he saw the
+troopers in their saddles and ready to start, his delight
+was so apparent that they all noticed it.</p>
+
+<p>"Wa'l, good-bye, if you must go," said he cheerily.
+"Will you stop when you come back?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you needn't expect to see us here again,"
+said Bob. "If we go to Brazos City, we shall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>
+take a short cut across the country when we return
+to the fort."</p>
+
+<p>"That's where I reckon they're goin', as I told
+you; an' my advice would be for you to go straight
+to Brazos, without stoppin' on the way, an' when
+they get there you'll be all ready to take 'em in.
+See?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I see," answered Bob, "and it's something
+worth thinking of.&mdash;Forward, column left!
+Trot! gallop!"</p>
+
+<p>The troopers moved rapidly away from the cabin,
+and, to the intense surprise and indignation of all
+his followers, who thought that their corporal had
+been deceived by the squatter, Bob led them off
+toward the old Brazos trail. At length one of them
+ventured to remonstrate.</p>
+
+<p>"Corporal," said he, "you're going wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," answered Bob.&mdash;"Carey, tell us
+what you saw in that cabin. Were our suspicions
+correct?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed they were," was Carey's reply. "In
+the first place, that stove was all right, but the
+squatter didn't want us to use it, for Bryant was
+hiding in the cabin. He was lying on the floor,
+covered up with a blanket."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How do you know it was Bryant?" asked Bob.
+"Did you see his face?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I didn't; it was concealed by the blanket.
+I saw his feet," said Carey; and his answer was
+received by the troopers with a sigh of satisfaction.
+It was all that was needed to establish the
+identity of the man who had taken refuge in the
+squatter's cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't think I could be wrong," observed
+Bob, "for that man condemned himself before we
+had been in his presence ten minutes."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you go back and snatch Bryant?"
+demanded one of the troopers, seeing that the
+corporal did not slacken his pace. "Why didn't
+you do it while we were at the cabin?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I had no right to do it," answered
+Bob. "If I should go to searching houses, I
+might get myself into trouble with the colonel.
+Another thing, boys: I shouldn't care to enter
+that man's castle to look for anything unless I
+was a civil officer and armed with a search-warrant.
+He is a hard one, unless his looks belie
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought so myself," said Loring. "But
+you are not going back without Bryant, are you?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>
+What do you suppose he is doing there, anyway?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I shall not go back without him,"
+answered Bob quietly. "He has probably hired
+out to that squatter, and we must watch our chance
+and catch him out of doors before we can arrest
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, are you going to Brazos City?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not by a long shot. Bristow and the fellows
+who are still with him have not gone that way.
+As soon as we get behind that belt of post-oaks
+you see in advance of us, I intend to circle around
+and go back toward the river again."</p>
+
+<p>Although the troopers rode at a rapid gait, it
+took them nearly three hours to carry out this
+programme. At the end of that time they struck
+the old stage-road, which, in the days gone by,
+had served as a highway between Brownsville and
+some of the remote frontier-towns; but when the
+raiders forced the settlements back into the interior
+the stage-route was abandoned, and all that now
+remained to tell of the business that had once been
+done on it were the half-ruined stations which were
+scattered along the road at intervals of fifteen or
+twenty miles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>These stations were built of stone, and were
+large enough to accommodate a dozen horses and
+half as many stable-men and drivers, besides the
+necessary food for both men and animals. Each
+station was provided with a "dug-out," a miniature
+fort, into which the employees of the route
+could retreat in case they were attacked by hostile
+Indians or Mexican raiders. It was simply a
+cellar of sufficient size to shelter nine or ten men
+at close quarters, covered with logs and dirt, and
+furnished with loopholes on all sides at the height
+of a foot or more above the ground. It looked
+like a mound of earth supported on logs about two
+feet high. The only way of getting into one of these
+little fortifications was through an underground passage-way
+which led from the stables. With these
+arrangements for their defence a few well-armed
+and determined men could hold their own against
+all the raiders that could get around them.</p>
+
+<p>About four o'clock in the afternoon Bob and his
+troopers came within sight of one of these stations,
+and as soon as their eyes rested upon it they drew
+up their horses with a jerk, at the same time uttering
+exclamations of astonishment and delight.
+Standing in front of the open door were several<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>
+men dressed in the uniform of the regular army.
+They seemed to be holding a consultation, and so
+deeply engrossed were they with their deliberations
+that they did not notice the approach of the troopers,
+although the latter had stopped their horses
+on the summit of a high ridge in plain view of
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if those are our men?" said Carey,
+with some excitement in his tones.</p>
+
+<p>"We shall soon know," was Bob's calm reply.
+"Whoever they are, they will have to give an
+account of themselves, for I am instructed to arrest
+everybody I meet wearing a uniform."</p>
+
+<p>"If they <i>are</i> our fellows, we've got them corralled,"
+remarked Loring.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but I don't much like the way we have
+'corralled' them," returned Carey. "Do you see
+that dug-out about twenty yards from the northwest
+corner of the station? If they go in there
+they can laugh at us. The only way we could
+get them out would be to starve them out."</p>
+
+<p>"That would take too long," said Bob; and
+the tone in which the words were uttered made
+his comrades look at him with some curiosity.
+"Let's go down there and interview them, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>
+then we shall know how to act. Forward!
+Trot!"</p>
+
+<p>Just as these commands were given a commotion
+among the men in front of the station indicated that
+somebody had sounded an alarm. They gazed at
+the troopers for a moment as if they were thunderstruck,
+and then made a simultaneous rush for the
+entrance. This action on their part told Bob as
+plainly as words that they were the men of whom
+he had been sent in pursuit, and that they did not
+intend to go back to the fort if they could help it.
+A moment later a loud slamming and pounding
+indicated that the deserters were trying to close
+and barricade the door. This had scarcely been
+accomplished when the troopers dashed up to
+the station and swung themselves out of their
+saddles.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving two of his men to hold the horses, Bob
+and the rest walked around the corner of the station
+and looked at the dug-out. There was a face
+in front of every loophole. Anybody could see
+that the deserters had the advantage of position,
+and the troopers wondered what Bob was going
+to do about it. They glanced at his face, but could
+see nothing there to tell them whether he was ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>cited,
+afraid or discouraged. It wore its usual expression.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, boys," said Bob at length, "if you have
+grown tired of roaming about the country, come
+out, and we will go back to the post. The colonel
+wants to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"We don't doubt it, but we don't want to see
+him," replied a voice that Bob recognized at once.
+"We think we see ourselves going back! We
+didn't desert for that."</p>
+
+<p>"Gus Robbins, I am sorry that you are in there,"
+said Bob. "What will you say to your father and
+mother when you see them again?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't know, I am sure," answered Gus.
+"Haven't had any time to think about that. But
+you know yourself that I can't go back to the
+post. The colonel said that if I were ever court-marshaled
+again for desertion, I should go to prison;
+but I'll fight till I drop before I'll do
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Bob," shouted another voice, "do you
+remember what I said I would do to that informer
+if I ever found out who he was? You are
+the fellow, and here's your pay."</p>
+
+<p>It was Bristow who spoke, and as he uttered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>
+these words he thrust the muzzle of his carbine
+through the loophole in front of him. The chorus
+of ejaculations and remonstrances which arose from
+the inside of the dug-out showed that the rest of
+the deserters were not yet ready to resort to the
+use of their firearms; but Bristow was almost
+half crazed by rage and fear, and just as somebody
+seized him from behind and jerked him
+away from the loophole, his carbine roared, and
+Bob Owens turned halfway round and staggered
+back a step or two, as if he were struck and
+about to fall.</p>
+
+<p>This unexpected act excited Bob's troopers&mdash;with
+whom he was an especial favorite&mdash;almost
+to frenzy. Believing that he had been seriously
+if not fatally injured&mdash;it did not seem possible that
+anybody could miss a mark of the size of his body
+at the distance of ten paces&mdash;one of them sprang
+forward to support him, while the others discharged
+their carbines at the loopholes in rapid succession.
+Their volley was not entirely without effect,
+for a loud yell of agony came from the inside of
+the dug-out, bearing testimony to the fact that
+one bullet at least had found a target somewhere
+on the person of one of the deserters.</p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p091.jpg" alt="p091" title="Storming the Dug-Out."/></div>
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Storming the Dug-Out.</span></span></div>
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>"Cease firing!" shouted Bob.</p>
+
+<p>He gently released himself from the embrace of
+the strong arms that had been thrown around him,
+and looked down at the gaping rent Bristow's bullet
+had made in the breast of his coat. The missile
+had passed through his thick carbine-sling and
+breast-belt, had cut into his coat, vest and shirt,
+and ploughed a deep furrow through a well-filled
+wallet which he carried in his inside pocket. Fortunately,
+it was a glancing shot, but the force with
+which it struck him was almost sufficient to knock
+him off his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not hurt at all," said he as his men crowded
+about him, "but I shall have to put a patch on
+my coat when I get back to the post.&mdash;I say, there,"
+he shouted, addressing himself to the inmates of
+the dug-out, "was there anybody hurt in there?
+I thought I heard a yell."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and you'll hear another yell if you don't
+go away and let us alone," replied Bristow. "I'll
+make a better shot the next time I pull on you."</p>
+
+<p>"All right!" said Bob. "I'll give you a chance
+in just about five minutes.&mdash;Loring," he added in
+a lower tone, "you and Phillips stay here and hold
+the horses, and the rest of you follow me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to storm them?" asked Loring.</p>
+
+<p>"I am," was the decided reply. "It is the only
+way I can get them out, for they'll not come of
+their own free will."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I sha'n't stay here and hold the horses;
+that's flat," declared Loring.</p>
+
+<p>"Neither will I," chimed in Phillips. "The
+picket-pins will hold them as well as we can."</p>
+
+<p>"All right!" replied Bob. "Stake them out,
+and while you are doing it Carey and I will see
+how we are going to get into the station."</p>
+
+<p>The door to which Bob now turned his attention
+did not prove to be a very serious obstacle. It
+was made of heavy planks, and if it had been in
+good condition it would have taken a good deal of
+chopping with a sharp axe before one could have
+forced his way through it; but the hinges had rusted
+off, and the planks had shrunk to such a degree
+that the bar which held the door in its place could
+be seen and reached with a sabre. A few blows
+with one of these weapons knocked this bar from
+its place, and when that was done, the door, having
+nothing to support it, fell back into the stable
+with a loud crash. Bob entered, with Carey at his
+heels, and, making his way to a small apartment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>
+which had once been used as a sleeping-room by the
+stable-men and drivers, he found there a trap-door,
+which he threw open, revealing a flight of rude steps
+leading into the underground passage that communicated
+with the dug-out. By this time the rest
+of the troopers arrived on the scene. They looked
+dubiously at the dark passage-way, and then they
+looked at Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really mean to go down there, Owens?"
+asked Loring. "It's sure death."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe so myself, but I am going all the
+same," replied Bob, who was thoroughly aroused by
+the attempt that had been made on his life. "If
+we are not willing to face death at any moment, we
+had no business to enlist. Must I go alone?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not much," was the unanimous response. "If
+you are bound to go, we are going too."</p>
+
+<p>"Leave your sabres and carbines here," commanded
+Bob. "They will only be in the way.
+Draw revolvers, but don't shoot except in self-defence."</p>
+
+<p>Bob knew as well as his men did that he was
+about to enter upon a very perilous undertaking.
+Bristow had shown that he was desperate enough
+to shoot, and he had even threatened that if he got<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>
+another chance at Bob he would make a better shot
+than he did before. Some of the men who were with
+him were known to be hard characters, and it was
+very probable that they would back him up in the
+resistance he seemed determined to make. But Bob,
+having made up his mind as to the course he ought
+pursue, never once faltered. He was a soldier, and
+a soldier's first duty was to obey orders. He had
+been commanded to find the deserters and arrest
+them at all hazards; and, having obeyed the first
+part of his instructions, he was resolved to carry
+them out to the letter or perish in the attempt.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I think we are all ready," said Bob, after
+the sabres and carbines had been laid in the empty
+bunks and the revolvers drawn and examined.
+"Stick close to me, and remember that if we don't
+take them they will kill us. Bristow, Sandy and
+Talbot are the only men we have to fear, and if we
+can only get the drop on them we are all right.
+Come on."</p>
+
+<p>Although Bob was the youngest soldier, he was
+the calmest one of the seven troopers who descended
+those steps. When he reached the bottom he
+looked along the passage-way toward the dug-out,
+which was dimly lighted by the sunbeams which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>
+streamed in through the loopholes on the western
+side, and saw the deserters standing in line awaiting
+his approach.</p>
+
+<p>"Halt!" cried a voice. "Come a step nearer
+and you are all dead men."</p>
+
+<p>It was Bristow who spoke, and the words were
+followed by the ominous click of the lock of his
+carbine.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>THE NEW SCOUT.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Halt!" cried Bristow again. It was so dark
+in the passage-way that he could not see
+the troopers, but the sound of their footsteps told
+him that they were still advancing toward the dug-out.
+"That's twice," he continued. "If I have
+to halt you the third time, I'll send a bullet out
+there."</p>
+
+<p>"Bristow, you had better not try that," answered
+Bob, without the least tremor in his voice. "You
+have already done more than you will want to
+stand punishment for. Besides, I have got you
+covered, and if you move that carbine a hair's
+breadth you are a gone deserter."</p>
+
+<p>"And I've got the drop on you, Sandy," said
+Carey, thrusting his cocked revolver over Bob's
+shoulder, "so don't wink.&mdash;I say, corporal," he
+added in a whisper, "I don't see Talbot anywhere."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Neither do I," answered Bob. "Keep your
+eyes open, for he may be up to playing us some
+trick."</p>
+
+<p>Whether it was the cool determination exhibited
+by Bob and his men, or the consciousness that they
+were in the wrong that took all the fight out of
+the deserters, we cannot tell; but they were cowed
+by something, and when Corporal Owens and his
+troopers filed into the dug-out, and the former
+sternly commanded them to "throw up," every
+carbine was dropped to the ground and five pairs
+of hands were raised in the air.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's the other?" demanded Bob. "There
+ought to be six of you."</p>
+
+<p>"Here I am," said a faint voice.</p>
+
+<p>Bob looked in the direction from which the voice
+came, and saw Talbot sitting in a dark corner, his
+carbine lying by his side and both his hands raised
+above his head. He wore a handkerchief around
+his forehead, and, dim as the light was, Bob could
+see that it was streaked with blood.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you badly hurt?" he asked with some
+anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>"No, he isn't," exclaimed Bristow, before the
+wounded man could speak. "A glancing ball cut<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>
+a little crease in his scalp, and he thinks he is
+killed."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you had this little crease in your own
+scalp," said Talbot, looking savagely at Bristow.
+"If it hadn't been for you I never should have
+been here."</p>
+
+<p>"And if it hadn't been for <i>you</i>, and a few cowards
+just like you, we never should have been captured,"
+retorted Bristow. "We could have held
+our own against a squad four times as big as the
+one Owens has brought with him; but now&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That'll do," interrupted Bob. "I am not going
+to have any quarrelling here; and, Bristow,
+there's a court-martial coming, and you had better
+keep a quiet tongue in your head.&mdash;Carey, stand in
+the mouth of that passage-way.&mdash;Phillips, pick up
+the carbines, and the rest of you sound them."</p>
+
+<p>These orders were promptly obeyed, and when
+the "sounding" had been completed the deserters
+had not even a pocket-knife left.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, boys," continued Bob, "as you seem to
+like these quarters so well, you can stay here to-night&mdash;all
+except you, Talbot; you will come up
+and have your wound examined. We didn't come
+prepared to take care of injured men, but we will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>
+do the best we can for you.&mdash;We will get some
+supper for you men, and when you feel so inclined
+you can spread your blankets on the floor and go
+to sleep.&mdash;Go on, Carey."</p>
+
+<p>At a sign from Bob the troopers followed Carey,
+who led the way along the passage; then Talbot
+fell in, carrying his blanket over his shoulder, and
+Bob brought up the rear. The trap-door was shut,
+and Talbot was informed that the sleeping-room
+was to be his prison for the night. His wound was
+dressed with some cold coffee that Bob happened
+to have in his canteen, and the deserter was assured
+that there was no cause for apprehension. The
+wound, which was scarcely an inch long, was only
+skin-deep, but it bled profusely, and that was
+probably the reason why Talbot was so badly
+frightened. When two sentries had been posted&mdash;one
+at the door of the stable to keep an eye on
+Talbot, and the other at the dug-out to see that
+the deserters who were confined there did not attempt
+to work their way out during the night&mdash;Bob
+ordered supper to be served at once. He had
+performed a brave act, and now that the danger
+was over he began to realize that he had passed
+through something of an ordeal. He lifted his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>
+cap, and found that his forehead was covered with
+great drops of perspiration.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done well," said Carey, extending
+his hand to Bob when the latter came out of the
+sleeping-room. "I didn't know you had so much
+pluck. I shall take particular pains to see that
+the lieutenant hears of this day's work."</p>
+
+<p>"He will tell you that I did nothing but my
+duty," replied Bob, who was very glad to know
+that his men were satisfied with his conduct.</p>
+
+<p>"But it isn't everybody who is brave enough
+to do his duty," said Carey as he touched a match
+to the light-wood he had piled in the fireplace;
+"and perhaps the lieutenant will say that you
+ought to be a sergeant. That <i>was</i> Bryant back
+there in that squatter's cabin, wasn't it? I looked
+for him the minute we entered the dug-out."</p>
+
+<p>"So did I," answered Bob, "and I saw at a
+glance that he wasn't there. We will attend to
+him to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"But perhaps he won't be there."</p>
+
+<p>"I think he will. It is my opinion that he
+has hired out to that squatter, and that he intends
+to trust to disguise to escape recognition. A man
+in citizen's clothes doesn't look much like the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>
+man in uniform; did you ever notice that? But
+even if he isn't there, what odds does it make to
+us? We are having a good time, and I would
+just as soon stay out here on the plains for a
+week or ten days as to go back to the fort and
+drill."</p>
+
+<p>"I say, corporal," exclaimed the sentry who was
+stationed at the door, "here's somebody coming,
+and unless my eyes are going back on me he is
+dressed in uniform."</p>
+
+<p>"Who in the world can it be?" exclaimed
+Carey.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll soon find out," replied Bob, "for if he
+has got any of our uncle's clothes on we are bound
+to take him in, unless he proves to be an officer."</p>
+
+<p>Bob and his men hurried to the door, and,
+looking in the direction in which the sentry was
+gazing, saw a horseman about a quarter of a
+mile away. He had halted on the top of a ridge,
+and Loring, who had good "Plains eyes," declared
+that he was looking at them through a field-glass.
+He certainly was dressed in uniform, and had with
+him a small black mule which bore a good-sized
+pack on its back.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't make him out," said Bob, waving his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>
+hand in the air and beckoning the horseman to
+approach. "He is a soldier, but what is he doing
+with that pack-mule? It isn't Bryant, is it? If
+it is, where did he get that mule and that field-glass?&mdash;Loring,
+you and Phillips put the bridles
+on your horses&mdash;never mind the saddles&mdash;and stand
+by to give him a race if he tries to run away. Don't
+mount until I give the word."</p>
+
+<p>But the horseman had no intention of running
+away. He replied to Bob's signal by waving his
+hand over his head, and after putting away his
+field-glass rode down the ridge and came toward
+the station at a gallop. As he approached nearer
+the troopers saw that he was a stranger, and a
+very good-looking one, too. He was almost as
+dark as an Indian, his hair was long enough to
+reach to his shoulders, and the eyes that looked
+out from under the peak of his fatigue-cap were
+as black as midnight and as sharp as those of an
+eagle. He rode a magnificent horse, and his seat
+was easy and graceful. His only weapon&mdash;that is,
+the only one that could be seen&mdash;was a heavy Winchester
+rifle, which was slung at his back. If he
+was a soldier, he was a very fancy one, for his
+cavalry uniform, although in strict keeping with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>
+the regulations, was made of the finest material;
+he wore white gauntlet gloves on his hands; and
+instead of the ungainly, ill-fitting army shoe he
+wore fine boots, the heels of which were armed
+with small silver spurs. The troopers thought
+from his dress and carriage that he must be an
+officer, and when he drew rein in front of the
+station they stood at "attention" and saluted him.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't deserve that honor, boys," said the
+stranger with a laugh; "I am not a shoulder-strap."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not?" exclaimed Bob, who was not a
+little astonished as well as provoked at the mistake
+he had made. "Well, it seems to me that you are
+throwing on a good many frills for a private.
+Where do you belong?"</p>
+
+<p>"At Fort Lamoine," said the stranger; and the
+answer was given in a tone quite as curt as was
+that in which the question was asked.</p>
+
+<p>"So do I, but I don't remember to have seen you
+there, and so I shall have to ask you to give an account
+of yourself. Dismount."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall do as I please about that," replied the
+stranger, who had all the while been staring very
+hard at Bob.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, you won't do as you please about it," returned
+the corporal, while Carey walked up and
+took the stranger's horse by the bit. "You will
+do as <i>I</i> please. If you belong at Fort Lamoine
+you will go there with me in the morning, and
+then I shall be sure you get there. I am acting
+under orders."</p>
+
+<p>The horseman thrust his hand into the inside
+pocket of his jacket, and pulling out a bill-book
+took from it a paper which he opened and handed
+to Bob to read.</p>
+
+<p>"If you are acting under orders I have no more
+to say," said he, "but there is something which
+I think will see me through until day after to-morrow.
+It is my furlough. Look here, partner,"
+he added suddenly, "isn't your name Bob
+Owens?"</p>
+
+<p>The latter started as if he had been shot, his under
+jaw dropped down, and for a few seconds he
+stood looking at the speaker as if he could hardly
+believe his ears. Then a light seemed to break
+in upon him, and springing forward he grasped the
+horseman by the arm and fairly pulled him out of
+the saddle. After that he shook one of his hands
+with both his own and executed a sort of war-dance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>
+around him, while the troopers stood and looked
+on in speechless amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"George Ackerman, I am delighted to see you
+again," cried Bob as soon as he could speak. "I
+take it all back, George: I didn't mean to insult
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"It's Owens, isn't it?" said George, for it was he.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course it is; and if you hadn't been blind
+you would have known it as soon as you saw me,"
+replied Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think my eyesight is any worse than
+your own, for you didn't know me until I called
+you by name," retorted George. "Your uniform
+tells me where you have been and what you have
+been doing since I last saw you, but it doesn't tell
+me how I came to lose you in Galveston so suddenly
+and mysteriously. If we had kept together a
+little while longer we should have been all right,
+for I had scarcely missed you before I ran against
+Mr. Gilbert&mdash;the friend to whom I wrote for
+money, you know. If you belong at Fort Lamoine,
+what are you doing here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Stake out your horse and mule and I will tell
+you all about it," answered Bob. "But first tell
+me what right you have to wear those clothes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am a United States scout," replied George.
+"At least, that was the title under which I was
+sworn in, but it does not clearly explain the duties
+that are expected of me. I am to act as guide to
+the troops when they cross the river in pursuit of
+the raiders."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes," exclaimed Bob; "I remember all
+about it now. I was off after the hostiles when
+you came to the post and offered your services to
+the colonel. When I came back I found that the
+men had a good deal to say about our new scout,
+who, they said, looked about as much like a scout
+as they looked like the queen of England; but I
+had no idea who he was; and, seeing it's you, I'll
+not arrest you," he added with a laugh.&mdash;"Great
+C&aelig;sar! that was the second close call I have had
+to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"If I had had any idea that you were going to
+touch him I should have warned you," said George.
+"It won't do for a stranger to come within reach of
+him, and it's the greatest wonder in the world that
+he didn't knock your brains out."</p>
+
+<p>While the two friends were talking, George Ackerman,
+with the dexterity acquired by long experience,
+relieved the mule of his heavy pack and slip<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>ped
+the halter over his head, leaving the animal at
+liberty. Bob, judging the mule by those unruly
+members of his species that were employed in the
+quartermaster's department at the fort, stepped up
+and attempted to lay hold of his foretop; but the animal
+dodged him very cleverly, and, wheeling like
+lightning, sent both his heels at the boy's head.
+The latter dropped just in time to escape the blow,
+but he felt the "wind" of the heels in his face and
+heard them whistle close by his ear.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he always act that way when strangers
+approach him?" asked Bob as he picked up his cap.
+"If he does, you need not be afraid that anybody
+will steal him. I tried to catch him because I was
+afraid he would run off."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he'll not do that. I never think of staking
+him out, for he always stays by my horse, and
+I can catch him anywhere. There's a horse for
+you, Bob, and the best one I ever owned. He is
+a present from Mr. Gilbert, who bought him in
+Kentucky for his own private use, but when he
+found that I was going into the army he gave
+him to me, with the assurance that Fletcher and
+his band could never make a prisoner of me while
+I was on his back. I lost my old horse, Ranger,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>
+at the time I was captured by the Greasers, and he
+was killed at the battle of Quer&eacute;taro. Now, what
+are you doing so far away from the fort?" asked
+George as he picked up his picket-pin and led
+the horse around the station to find a good place
+to stake him out. "How did you come to go into
+the army, anyway, and what have you been doing
+to win those stripes?"</p>
+
+<p>"It would take a long time to answer your last
+two questions," answered Bob, "and so we will
+leave them until the rest of the boys have gone
+to bed. I came here in pursuit of seven men who
+deserted last night."</p>
+
+<p>"You did? Well, Bob, your superiors must
+have a good deal of confidence in you to send you
+off on such an expedition. Where do you expect
+to find them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have found them already, and arrested them
+too; that is, I have caught six of them, and I
+know where the other one is. I intend to take
+him in hand to-morrow, though, to tell the truth,
+I don't know just how I am going to do it. I
+could have arrested him to-day if I had had
+authority to take him out of a house; but I
+wasn't sure on that point, and so I let him go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>
+until I could have time to make up my mind to
+something. I got <i>that</i> about fifteen minutes before
+you came up," said Bob, directing his friend's attention
+to the hole in his coat that had been made by
+Bristow's bullet. "My men returned the fire and
+slightly wounded one of the deserters, who is now
+laid out on his blanket in the sleeping-room. By
+the way, do you know Gus Robbins?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should say I did," replied George, after he
+had followed the course of the bullet through Bob's
+clothing and expressed his surprise at his friend's
+narrow escape. "He ran away from his home in
+Foxboro', and came down here to visit my cousin,
+who was at that time living with his father at my
+ranche. He and Ned, who were constantly pluming
+themselves on the numerous scrapes from which
+they had narrowly escaped, could not rest easy until
+they kicked up a row in the settlement, and they
+did it by shooting Mr. Cook's cattle. The consequence
+was, that I had to show them the way out
+of the country. Don't you remember I told you
+all about it on the morning we walked from that
+trapper's cabin to White River Landing? I say,
+Bob, have you any idea of becoming a trapper when
+your term of service expires?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Nary idea," was the emphatic reply. "A
+soldier's life is hard enough for me, and there is
+quite as much danger in it as I care to face."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about Gus Robbins?"
+continued George. "He left my cousin Ned very
+suddenly in Brownsville, and none of us ever heard
+of him afterward. It can't be possible that he enlisted
+too?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he did. He belongs to my troop, and is
+just as fond of getting into scrapes as he ever was.
+When he is not in the guard-house he is almost sure
+to be doing extra duty for some offence against military
+discipline. He was one of the deserters I was
+ordered to capture, and he is in the dug-out now.
+But I almost wish he had got away. You know
+him, and when I was arresting him I almost felt
+as if I were doing something against you. I
+haven't forgotten that you offered me a home,
+and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The obligation is all on my side," interrupted
+George. "You saved my life twice. Let's sit
+down here and talk a while. Go ahead and tell
+me something."</p>
+
+<p>The boys threw themselves on the grass near
+the place where George had staked out his horse,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>
+and Bob began and described some of the interesting
+incidents that had happened since he last
+saw the cub pilot. He told the truth in regard
+to everything, not even excepting the parting in
+Galveston. His experience in the army was rapidly
+working a change in him, and he had not
+told a wilful lie since he assured the recruiting-officer
+that he was an orphan and that there was
+no one in the world who had a right to say whether
+he should enlist or not.</p>
+
+<p>"I have done a good many mean things in my
+life, I am sorry to say," Bob added in winding up
+his story, "but about the meanest trick I ever played
+upon anybody I played upon you on the day
+we parted. I found fifty cents in my watch-pocket,
+which I had carelessly shoved in there when money
+was plenty, and I knew it would buy me supper
+and lodging. It wasn't enough for both of us,
+so I ran away from you and went off by myself.
+That's the way we became separated, and I tell
+you of it at the risk of losing your friendship."</p>
+
+<p>"You risk nothing at all," replied George,
+extending his hand. "I couldn't expect that you
+would take care of me and pay my way at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>
+sacrifice of all your own personal comfort; but
+I do wish you had waited just a little longer,
+for then you never would have had to enlist.
+I am ready to prove that I think as much of you
+now as I ever did. I shall keep an eye on you
+until your term of service expires, and then you
+must go home with me. I am sole master there
+now&mdash;Mr. Gilbert is my guardian, but he never
+has a word to say&mdash;and as you have no home of
+your own&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That was a lie, George," interrupted Bob. "I
+have a home at Rochdale, a few miles below Linwood,
+where I first pulled you out of the river&mdash;you
+know where it is&mdash;and as kind a father and
+mother as any scoundrel of my size ever had.
+When I ran away I intended to drop my identity
+altogether, and that was the reason I told you
+I was alone in the world. What do you think of
+me <i>now</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>George was greatly astonished at this confession,
+for he had put implicit faith in Bob's story. He
+was strictly truthful himself, and he could not
+understand how a boy as physically brave as Bob
+Owens had showed himself to be could be coward
+enough to tell a lie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I feel sorry for you," said he at length; "and
+if I were in your place I would go home as soon
+as I received my discharge&mdash;if you keep on as
+you have begun you may rest assured that it will
+be an honorable one&mdash;and try to make amends
+for my misdeeds. Remember that</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'No star is ever lost we once have seen;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">We always may be what we might have been,'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>and go resolutely to work to 'live it down.' You've
+got the pluck to do it, I know."</p>
+
+<p>"Coffee!" shouted Carey, thrusting his head
+around the corner of the station.</p>
+
+<p>"By the way," continued George as he and
+Bob arose to their feet, "what did you mean by
+saying that, seeing it was I, you wouldn't arrest
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, the colonel was mad when he started me
+out this morning, and ordered me to gobble up
+everybody&mdash;that is, privates and non-commissioned
+officers&mdash;I caught outside the stockade. But
+of course I couldn't touch you if I wanted to,
+for your leave of absence protects you. You will
+stay here to-night and ride to the fort with us
+to-morrow, will you not?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Certainly I will. Having found you again,
+I am not going to leave you in a hurry. Say,
+Bob, would you have any objections to bringing
+Gus Robbins up to eat supper with us?"</p>
+
+<p>"None whatever. I am sorry to be obliged to
+keep him and the rest so closely confined, but I
+know that they are a slippery lot&mdash;every one of
+them has deserted before&mdash;and if I should let
+them get away now that I have got a grip on
+them, the colonel would give me Hail Columbia.
+Gus has got himself into a mess, George. The
+first time he deserted he was simply put into the
+guard-house and fined, but this escapade is going
+to land him at Leavenworth. Now I will make
+you acquainted with our boys, and then I will
+go down and tell Gus that you want to see
+him."</p>
+
+<p>After the new scout had been introduced to
+the troopers, Bob raised the trap-door and descended
+into the dug-out, while George opened his
+pack-saddle and took out of it a tin cup and
+plate, a can of condensed milk, a box or two of
+sardines and a few other delicacies, which he laid
+upon the table beside the simple fare that Carey
+had just served up. By the time he had finished<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>
+the work of opening the cans with the aid of a
+formidable-looking hunting-knife which he drew
+from his boot-leg, Bob returned, followed by a
+soldier who looked so unlike the dashing, fashionably-dressed
+Gus Robbins he had seen in company
+with his cousin Ned that George could hardly
+bring himself to believe that he was the same
+boy. He looked pale and haggard; and that was
+not to be wondered at, for the prison at Fort Leavenworth
+was constantly looming up before him.</p>
+
+<p>George, as we know, had a very slight acquaintance
+with Gus Robbins, having passed only
+a few hours in his company, and he was under
+no obligations whatever to interest himself in his
+behalf; but when he saw how utterly miserable
+he was, his heart bled for him, and he at once
+hit upon a plan for getting him out of the trouble
+he had brought upon himself. He greeted Gus
+very cordially, gave him a seat beside himself
+at the table, and tried to put a little life into him
+by talking about almost everything except life in
+the army.</p>
+
+<p>The deserters must have thought that their captors
+felt very much elated over their success, for
+a noisier party than that which was gathered about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>
+that rough board table was never seen anywhere.
+Being almost entirely free from military restraint&mdash;sergeants
+and corporals do not hold their men
+with so tight a rein as the commissioned officers
+do, although they exact just as prompt obedience
+to their commands&mdash;they told stories and said
+witty things and sung songs until they were
+hoarse. The additions to their larder which
+George had been able to supply gave them a
+better supper than they were accustomed to, and
+they were merry over it.</p>
+
+<p>None of the members of Bob's squad had ever
+seen the new scout before, and, although they treated
+him with the greatest respect, they were sadly
+disappointed in him. The scouts with whom they
+were familiar were great, rough, bearded men,
+strong of limb and slovenly in dress, who had
+lived among the Indians all their lives, and had
+the reputation of being able to whip their weight
+in wild-cats; but this one looked as though he
+had but just come out of a fashionable tailor's
+shop, and, moreover, he was nothing but a boy
+in years. What could the colonel have been
+thinking of when he engaged this stripling to
+lead men across the river and into the midst of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>
+the desperadoes who were known to have their
+strongholds there? It was dangerous work, and
+the guide ought to be a person of courage and
+experience; and George didn't look as though he
+had either. That was what the troopers thought
+as they sat at the table casting furtive glances at
+the new scout, who was talking earnestly with
+Gus Robbins; but it was not long before they
+found out that it took a brave man to follow
+where he dared lead.</p>
+
+<p>The first trooper who finished his supper took
+the place of the sentry at the door, and the next
+relieved the one who was standing guard over
+the dug-out. When these two had satisfied their
+appetites the dishes were washed, the table was
+laid again and the deserters were ordered up.
+Some of them appeared to be very much disheartened,
+and would scarcely look their comrades in
+the face, while the others were so defiant, and
+had so much to say about the colonel who had
+ordered their arrest and the men who had carried
+those orders into execution, that Bob was obliged
+to warn them that if they did not eat more and
+jaw less he would put them back into the dug-out
+without any supper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When the deserters had had all they wanted
+to eat they were sent down to their prison, the
+outside sentry was relieved, and Bob stood guard
+at the door, with George for company. They
+had much to talk about, and it was long after
+midnight when they went to bed. They slept
+on the same blankets, and the new scout went
+off into the land of dreams with his arm thrown
+lovingly around the boy who had twice saved
+his life, and whom he had never expected to see
+again.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>AN UNEXPECTED GUEST.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Well, old fellow, what do you think of
+me now?"</p>
+
+<p>It was George Ackerman who uttered these
+words, and the question was addressed to his
+herdsman, Zeke. The former stood in front of
+a full-length mirror that hung against the wall
+(among other extravagant and useless things for
+which Uncle John had spent his nephew's money
+were two elegant pier-glasses, one for his own
+room and the other for Ned's), and Zeke was
+sitting on the edge of a chair, with his elbows
+resting on his knees and his chin supported by
+his hands.</p>
+
+<p>When the commander of Fort Lamoine accepted
+his proffered services, George had asked for and
+received a furlough for thirty days to enable him
+to procure an outfit and to consult with his guardian
+in regard to the management of the ranche<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>
+during his absence. That furlough had nearly
+expired, and George was about to start for the
+fort. The honest fellows who had so long been
+employed on the ranche that they began to look
+upon themselves as members of the Ackerman
+family could not bear the thought of parting
+from him, and Zeke especially felt very gloomy
+over it. He had often denounced, in the strongest
+terms, the circumstances which seemed to render
+it necessary that his young friend should cast
+his lot among the soldiers for a season, and on
+this particular morning he looked as though he
+had lost everything that was worth living for.</p>
+
+<p>George had just put on his new uniform for
+the first time, and no one, except a very intimate
+acquaintance, would have recognized in him the
+rough-looking cowboy whom we introduced to
+the reader in the first volume of this series of
+books. During the eighteen months he had lived
+in the pilot-house he had fallen in with some of
+the ways of those by whom he was surrounded,
+and grown very particular in regard to his personal
+appearance, although he did not by any
+means go to extremes, as his cousin Ned had done.
+As he placed the jaunty fatigue-cap over his long,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>
+curly hair he looked rather complacently at the
+handsome face and figure that were reflected from
+the polished surface of the mirror.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Zeke, don't be cross," said he, walking
+up to his herdsman and giving him a slap on the
+back. "Say just one kind word to me before I
+go."</p>
+
+<p>"I won't," growled Zeke in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Then wish me good luck in my new calling,"
+added George.</p>
+
+<p>"I won't," repeated the herdsman in a still louder
+tone. "You're always going off on some new
+callin' or another, an' I don't see no sort of sense
+in it. Didn't I stay home here, quiet an' peaceable,
+takin' care of your critters, while you was a-philanderin'
+up and down the river on boats that was
+likely at any minute to burn up or bust their
+boilers? Now that you have got safe home again,
+why in creation don't you stay here? Good land
+o' Goshen!" shouted Zeke, jumping up, spreading
+out his feet and flourishing both his huge fists in
+the air, "of all the fool notions that ever a livin'
+boy got into his head&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That'll do, Zeke," interrupted George with a
+laugh. "I have heard that a thousand times, more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>
+or less, already. You will bid me good-bye when
+I get ready to go, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"I s'pose I won't do nothin' of the kind," exclaimed
+Zeke. "Of all the fool notions that ever
+a livin' boy&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I understand. Come here and pack my clothes-bag
+for me; you can do it better than I can."</p>
+
+<p>"I won't. Them things is goin' to hang you
+higher'n the moon the first you know," said Zeke,
+scowling savagely at the elegant Mexican costume
+which George lifted from the bed. "Don't you
+never go 'crost the river with them duds on, 'cause
+if you do Fletcher'll string you up for a spy."</p>
+
+<p>"Not in peace-times, I guess," answered George.</p>
+
+<p>"What odds does it make to sich as him whether
+it's peace-times or not? You'll see."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he will have to catch me before he hangs
+me. Go and tell the cook that I am getting tired
+of waiting for breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>"I won't; I won't never do nothin' for you no
+more, nor say another word to you, nuther."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry you feel so bad about it," said
+George as he proceeded to pack his clothes away
+in a canvas bag he had provided for that purpose;
+"but the thing is done, and it can't be undone."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I don't care if the Greasers come over here
+next full moon an' steal every huf an' horn you've
+got," exclaimed the angry herdsman.</p>
+
+<p>"I do," replied George; "I don't want them to
+do anything of the kind. I don't want them to
+steal another steer from me or anybody else, and
+that is the very reason I became a scout. Our
+troops are going to teach those fellows to stay on
+their own side of the river, and I am going to help
+them do it."</p>
+
+<p>"There's enough without you," growled Zeke.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose that everybody thought so; where
+would we get the men to fight our battles?&mdash;What
+in the world is that?"</p>
+
+<p>For just then there was a terrific uproar on the
+porch. Above the stamping of heavy boots and
+hoarse but subdued ejaculations of rage, such as
+men sometimes utter when they are engaged in a
+fierce struggle, arose the voice of one who spoke
+in pleading accents, but whose words suddenly
+ceased with a kind of gasping sound, as if his
+throat had been seized by a strong hand. Zeke sat
+up on his chair and looked at George, whose face
+expressed the utmost bewilderment. Before either
+of them could speak the door was thrown open with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>
+great violence, and a dishevelled and half-strangled
+man, dressed in a dingy blue jacket and a pair
+of dirty leather trousers, was pitched into the room,
+with such force that when he brought up against
+Zeke that worthy herdsman was knocked out of his
+chair, and the two came to the floor together.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by such work as this?"
+demanded George, looking first at the prostrate
+man and then toward the door, where stood Jake
+and Bob with their hands clenched and their faces
+flushed with anger.</p>
+
+<p>"Jest take a good squint at that feller's figger-head
+an' answer the question for yourself, Mr.
+George," answered Jake, shaking his fist at the man
+who had been so unceremoniously introduced into
+the room.&mdash;"Give it to him good an' strong, Zeke!&mdash;Well!
+I'll&mdash;be&mdash;blessed!&mdash;Won't you, Bob?"</p>
+
+<p>This exclamation was called forth by an action on
+the part of George Ackerman that astonished Jake
+and Bob beyond measure. Zeke had instantly recognized
+the man who had so unexpectedly prostrated
+him, and, seizing him by the back of the neck in
+his iron grasp, began shaking him as a dog would
+shake a rat. George also recognized the man after
+he had taken a second look at him, and springing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>
+forward he seized Zeke's arm and tore his grasp
+loose. Then he assisted the man to his feet, and
+taking his hand in his own shook it cordially.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I <i>will</i> be blessed!" repeated Jake, who
+stood looking the very picture of astonishment.&mdash;"Won't
+you, Bob?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should say I would," replied the latter, who
+was equally amazed. "That's something <i>I</i> never
+expected to see&mdash;an Ackerman shaking hands with
+a cattle-thief!"</p>
+
+<p>"Springer," exclaimed George, "I am glad to
+see you again; and without your crutches, too!
+I hope you have entirely recovered."</p>
+
+<p>Yes, the man who had made his entrance into
+George's room in so unusual a manner was Springer,
+whom we have often spoken of as the wounded
+cattle-thief. He had, as we know, once been in
+the employ of George's father; but proving to be
+utterly unfit for the position he held, Mr. Ackerman
+had discharged him, and Springer had sought
+revenge by making an unsuccessful effort to burn
+the ranche. Of course he could not stay in Texas
+after that, so he fled across the river and joined his
+fortunes with the Contra-Guerrillas, a regiment of
+desperadoes in the employ of the ill-starred Max<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>imilian.
+He belonged, with other renegade Americans,
+to Fletcher's band, who were the principal
+foragers for Maximilian's army; but instead of
+robbing the adherents of Juarez, who probably
+had no stock worth stealing, they made numerous
+raids across the river and ran off the cattle belonging
+to the Texans. Springer was one of the band
+who stampeded George's herd at Catfish Falls, and
+during the short skirmish that followed Zeke sent
+a bullet through each of his legs, wounding him
+severely. He managed to keep up with the band
+a few miles, but the rapid motion was too much
+for him, and he was finally abandoned by his companions,
+who hurried the captured cattle toward the
+river, leaving Springer to look out for himself.</p>
+
+<p>The pain occasioned by the wounds that had
+been inflicted upon him by Zeke's Winchester was
+so intense that the raider was forced to travel very
+slowly. Arriving on the banks of a little stream
+that ran across the trail he was pursuing, he rolled
+out of his saddle to quench his thirst, which had
+became almost unbearable; but his bridle slipping
+from his hand, his horse wandered away, and, as
+Springer was not able to walk, he could not catch
+him again. He sank helplessly down beside a tree,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>
+where he was presently discovered by George Ackerman,
+who was making his way on foot toward Mr.
+Gilbert's ranche. The boy ministered to his wants
+by bringing him water in his hat and sharing with
+him his slender stock of provisions, and Springer
+showed his gratitude by warning George of a plot
+which his uncle John and cousin Ned had laid
+against him. He went into all the details, but
+George refused to believe a word of it until subsequent
+events, which we have already described,
+proved to his entire satisfaction that the thief had
+told him nothing but the truth.</p>
+
+<p>After spending half an hour in the man's company,
+George caught his horse, assisted him into
+the saddle, and Springer succeeded in crossing into
+Mexico without being discovered by any of the
+settlers whom Zeke had gathered together to recapture
+George's herd. He made his way to Don
+Miguel's ranche, and there our hero found him
+when he was captured by Fletcher's men. The
+raider seemed to be sorry for his misdeeds, and
+George had assured him that if he ever made up
+his mind to turn over a new leaf and lead a different
+sort of life, he would assist him by every
+means in his power.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Springer," said George, drawing up an easy-chair
+for the use of his guest, "what brought you
+over on this side of the river? Have you abandoned
+Fletcher for good?"</p>
+
+<p>The cattle-thief gasped and coughed three or
+four times, as if he were trying to clear his throat
+of something that stuck there and choked his utterance,
+and finally nodded his head in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't pay no attention to him, Mr. George!"
+exclaimed Bob. "He don't know nothin' but
+stealin' an' lyin', that feller don't, an' I wouldn't
+trust him as far as I could sling a yearlin'."</p>
+
+<p>"If it wasn't for sich fellers as him you could
+stay to hum quiet an' peaceable like, an' not have
+to go off fur a soldier," added Jake.</p>
+
+<p>"When I was a prisoner among the Greasers
+he gave me advice that assisted me in making
+my escape, and why should I not treat him kindly?"
+demanded George, turning indignantly upon
+the speakers. "No visitor at the Ackerman ranche
+was ever treated so shamefully before, and I tell
+you I don't want the thing repeated."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Mr. George," stammered Jake, "he rid
+up to the porch an' said he wanted to speak to
+you, an' so we brung him in&mdash;me an' Bob did."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Go and tell the cook to put another plate on
+the table and to hurry up breakfast," said George
+with an air of disgust.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. George," said Zeke solemnly, "do you
+mean by that that you're goin' to break bread
+with this&mdash;this varmint?"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean that Springer is going to eat a good
+breakfast with me, if that is what you want to
+know," replied George.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, Bob, you needn't say nothin' about
+that there other plate," continued the herdsman,
+picking up his hat and moving toward the door.
+"Springer can have the one I was goin' to use."</p>
+
+<p>"Zeke, sit down and behave yourself," exclaimed
+George.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I won't. I ain't agoin' to eat salt with
+a man what tried to burn this ranche over your
+dead father's head, an' you a little babby at the
+time, without no power to help yourself. I don't
+know what this family is comin' to, anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"No more do I," chimed in Bob, while he and
+Jake looked daggers at their employer's new guest.
+"Things ain't as they used to be in the good
+ole days. I won't wait on no table that he sets
+at."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As if moved by a common impulse, the three
+men left the room, Zeke closing the door behind
+him with no gentle hand. The cattle-thief seemed
+to be greatly relieved to see them go, but their
+extraordinary conduct made him very uneasy, and
+he looked toward George to see what the latter
+thought about it.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind them," said the boy encouragingly.
+"They were employed on this ranche before
+I was born, and have finally come to think that
+they have more rights here than I have. Now,
+what did you want to see me for? How can
+I help you? If I were going to stay at home,
+so that I could stand between you and the settlers,
+I would give you a herdsman's berth, if
+that is what you want; but I am going to Fort
+Lamoine as soon as I have packed my things and
+disposed of my breakfast, and I may not be back
+for a year. I am a United States scout."</p>
+
+<p>"I wondered what you were doin' with them
+soldier-clothes on; an' that explains it," said
+Springer, speaking with difficulty. "I don't reckon
+you can help me none jest now, but mebbe I
+can help you by puttin' you on your guard agin'
+Fletcher."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Is he after me again?" cried George. "I was
+in hope I had seen and heard the last of him."</p>
+
+<p>"Them kind of fellers is always turnin' up when
+they isn't wanted," replied Springer. "He's come
+back to his ole hole at that there ranche, bringin'
+a good many of his ole men with him, an' some
+new ones that would be wusser than he is, only
+that ain't possible. Amongst them all, they have
+laid a plan to visit you next full moon."</p>
+
+<p>"Let them come," said George, snapping his
+fingers in the air; "they'll not get me, or any
+stock either."</p>
+
+<p>"He wants you more'n he wants stock," continued
+Springer. "That is, he wants you first.
+Your uncle John put the very mischief into that
+there feller's head, an' he's goin' to make a pris'ner
+of you, like he did afore. He knows that you
+are master here now&mdash;that you've got more money
+an' cattle than you know what to do with; an' he
+thinks you would rather give 'em all up than lose
+your liberty."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt I would," answered George, "but
+before he can make any demands upon me he
+must catch me. That he will never do, for the
+next time&mdash;"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He was about to say that the next time he saw
+Don Miguel's ranche he would be so strongly backed
+up that he would stand in no fear of the boss
+cattle-thief and his band. But he didn't say it,
+for he did not know how far it would be safe to
+trust his friend Springer. He need not have been
+so particular on this point, however, for the cattle-thief
+knew as much about the contemplated movements
+of General Ord's forces as George did himself.
+The Mexican authorities had been notified
+that if the raids from their side of the river were
+not stopped our troops would take the matter in
+hand and punish the thieves wherever they could
+be found; and those same authorities had been
+accommodating enough to warn Fletcher, and so
+put him on his guard.</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you been since I last saw you?"
+inquired George, "and what has become of my
+horse? What did the 'boss' say when he found
+I had slipped through his fingers? I told you
+I shouldn't stay there and allow myself to be
+robbed. Did he follow me?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, he didn't foller you, 'cause nobody knowed
+till mornin' come that you had skipped out," answered
+Springer. "When Fletcher went to call<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>
+you to breakfast, an' you wasn't there, he thought
+you was a-loafin' around somewheres about the
+ranche; but when somebody told him that the
+hoss with the four white feet, that follered us
+acrost the river on the night we tried to get the
+strong-box out of this house, was gone, he knowed
+in a minute what was up, an' he was about the
+maddest man you ever see. But he couldn't take
+time to hunt you up, an' all he could do was to
+swear that he'd hold fast to you the next time he
+got his hands on to you."</p>
+
+<p>"He'll never get his hands on me again," said
+George confidently.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope he won't, but if he does it'll be worse
+for you. That there black hoss of your'n is dead,"
+continued Springer; "he was shot at Quer&eacute;taro.
+You see, when we got down to the place where the
+fightin' was goin' on, we knowed in a minute that
+Max couldn't hold out much longer, so we started
+one dark night to cross over to Juarez. His soldiers
+seen us comin', an', thinkin' that we were
+up to some trick or another, they turned loose on
+us an' cut us up fearful."</p>
+
+<p>"It served you just right," said George, with
+honest indignation. "You had no business to go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>
+in with Maximilian in the first place, but having
+joined him you ought to have stood by him to
+the last."</p>
+
+<p>"We <i>did</i> stand by him after that, 'cause we had
+to," answered Springer. "But it didn't take 'em
+long to captur' the place, an' it didn't take them
+long either to say what should be done with Max.
+He an' Mejia an' Miramon were took out on a hill
+near the ruins of an old stone fort an' shot. I
+didn't see it, 'cause I was under guard with Fletcher
+an' the rest; but I heared some of 'em who did
+see it say that just before the shooting was done
+Max he says to Miramon, 'The bravest man should
+have the post of honor;' so he puts Miramon in
+the middle, an' Max he stood on the left. It was
+a mean piece of business all the way through," said
+Springer, drawing his hand nervously across his
+forehead, "an' I am powerful glad that I am well
+out of it. Now, Mr. George, seein' as how you
+belong to the army, mebbe I had oughter tell you
+something. You remember them two Greasers
+who shot that cowboy down to Rio Grande City,
+an' was put in jail for it, don't you? Well, they
+belong to our gang, an' Fletcher an' the rest are
+getting ready to go down there an' take 'em out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Very well. Go right down to the commanding
+officer at Eagle Pass and tell him of it," said
+George promptly. "Then come up to Fort Lamoine,
+and we'll see if the colonel won't do something
+for Fletcher when he comes over here to capture
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"An' there's another thing I had oughter tell
+you, Mr. George," continued Springer, sinking his
+voice almost to a whisper. "I come over here as
+a sort of spy, like. I am to find out all I can about
+your ways&mdash;where you go of nights, an' all that,
+you know&mdash;an' then I am to go down to Rio City,
+take a look about the jail, see how many guards
+there are, an' everything else that is worth knowin',
+an' after that I am to go back an' tell Fletcher."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you didn't say so while my men
+were in here," observed George.</p>
+
+<p>"I was just a trifle too sharp for that," said
+Springer, shaking his head and looking very wise.
+"I don't want to make them any madder at me
+than they be now."</p>
+
+<p>"But you are not going back to Fletcher with
+any news, are you? You told me you had left him
+for good."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. George," said Springer earnestly, "I ain't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>
+agoin' to take no news acrost the river that will do
+anybody there any good. I ain't forgot that you
+helped me when I was a-starving for grub an' water,
+and I ain't likely to forget it, nuther. I did
+say I had quit them fellers for good, an' when I
+said it I meant it; but you can see by the way
+your own men used me, right here under your
+nose, that I couldn't stay here without nobody to
+back me up. I can't starve, so I'll have to go
+back till you come home again."</p>
+
+<p>"If you will stay on this side of the river I will
+see that you don't starve," replied George. "After
+you have told the commanding officer at Eagle
+Pass of the attempt that is to be made to release
+those murderers, come up to Fort Lamoine and I
+will find some honest work for you to do. The
+soldiers at the post are not acquainted with you,
+and consequently there will be no one to trouble
+you. I will say that you used to work for my
+father, and that will help you to a position."</p>
+
+<p>While Springer was trying to make the boy understand
+how grateful he was to him for his kindness,
+there was a rap at the door, and Bob thrust
+his head into the room to announce in a surly tone
+that breakfast was ready.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Where's Zeke?" asked George.</p>
+
+<p>"Gone," was the laconic reply.</p>
+
+<p>"All right! If he is foolish enough to go off
+without any breakfast, let him go. He'll meet me
+somewhere along the trail and say good-bye, I
+know. Bob," added George, pointing to the clothes-bag,
+which he had packed while he and his visitor
+were conversing, "put this into the pack-saddle,
+and have everything ready, so that I can start
+as soon as I have eaten breakfast.&mdash;Come on,
+Springer."</p>
+
+<p>George led the way into an adjoining room, and
+found an excellent breakfast waiting for him. The
+cook, knowing that this was the last meal the young
+master of the ranche would eat at that table for long
+months to come, had exhausted all his knowledge
+of the cuisine in the effort to serve up a breakfast
+that would tempt George to eat, no matter whether
+he was hungry or not.</p>
+
+<p>True to his promise, Bob kept out of the breakfast-room,
+and George and his guest were obliged
+to wait on themselves; but as they were used to
+that, they got on very well. While they were eating
+George once more repeated the instructions he
+had given Springer, and reiterated his promise to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>
+furnish him with steady employment and give him
+a chance to make an honest living.</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast over, George accompanied his guest to
+the door, and saw him ride away toward Eagle Pass.
+As soon as he was out of sight the boy went into
+the house after his weapons and to take leave of
+the servants, who were good-natured enough now
+that Springer was gone. After shaking them all
+by the hand, and listening to their hearty wishes
+for his safe and speedy return, he mounted his
+horse, which stood at the porch saddled and bridled,
+took his pack-mule by the halter and rode
+away toward Mr. Gilbert's ranche. The first person
+to greet him as he drew rein in front of the
+door was Zeke, who had so emphatically declared
+that he would not have another word to say to
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's that pizen varmint?" demanded the
+herdsman in no very amiable tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Zeke," replied George, "if you
+should happen to meet that man while I am
+gone, I want you to treat him civilly; do you
+understand? If you see him in trouble, I want
+you to help him out. He is sorry for what he
+has done, and intends to lead a better life; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>
+if you don't assist him in every way you can,
+you are not the fellow I take you for."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" exclaimed Zeke contemptuously.
+"Sorry, ain't he? Wants to lead a better life,
+don't he? Well, it's mighty little chance he'll
+have if he makes a business of bumpin' up agin
+me the way he did this mornin', I bet you."</p>
+
+<p>"He couldn't help it; Jake and Bob threw him
+against you. I know he is in earnest, for he has
+proved it. He came to the ranch to tell me that
+my old friend Fletcher is coming over to capture
+me next full moon, and he has now gone down
+to warn the officer in command at Eagle Pass that
+an attempt will soon be made to liberate the
+murderers who are in jail there.&mdash;Good-morning,
+Mr. Gilbert. I have stopped to say good-bye."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you slap your foot down an' tell
+him he sha'n't go, Gilbert?" demanded Zeke.</p>
+
+<p>"I am as sorry to have him go as you are,"
+replied Mr. Gilbert. "But it is to our interest
+to do all we can to break up this raiding business,
+and George can do more than any of us. In fact,
+he is the only one in the settlement who can do
+anything, for you know the colonel wouldn't accept
+the services of our company of Rangers when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>
+we offered them to him.&mdash;Come in, George, and
+say good-bye to Mrs. Gilbert and the girls."</p>
+
+<p>This was soon done, for the boy did not like
+to linger over the parting; but still, it was much
+harder for him to take leave of these good friends
+than he thought it would be. The whole family
+accompanied him to the door, and when he came
+out Zeke turned his back to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Say good-bye to me," said George, giving
+him a pat on the shoulder; "it's your last
+chance."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care if it is," shouted the old fellow;
+"I won't do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will say it to you: Good-bye, Zeke.
+It will be a long time before I see you again, if
+indeed I ever do, but I never shall forget you.
+You have been a good friend to me."</p>
+
+<p>This was altogether too much for the honest
+herdsman. He faced quickly about, and, seizing
+George's hand with a grip that brought tears to
+his eyes, churned it up and down like a pump-handle.
+Then he dropped it and turned away,
+while George, without saying another word, vaulted
+into his saddle and rode off. Zeke watched him
+as long as he remained in sight, and then in bro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>ken
+accents addressed the silent group who stood in
+the doorway:</p>
+
+<p>"Thar's that there boy."&mdash;here he waved his
+hand in the direction in which George had disappeared&mdash;"he
+was all I had, an' now he's gone off
+to fight them Greasers without askin' me would
+I let him go. I toted him in them there arms
+when he was a yellin' babby not knee-high to a
+duck; I put him on the fust hoss he ever rid;
+I slept under the same blanket an' herded cattle
+with him when he got bigger; I larnt him how
+to throw the lasso an' shoot the rifle; an' now
+he's went off an' left me alone! Dog-gone them
+pizen Greasers!" roared Zeke, flourishing both
+his fists in the air.</p>
+
+<p>He lingered a moment, looking rather sharply at
+Mr. Gilbert, as if he had half a mind to take him
+to task for giving his consent to George's "fool
+notion," and then, thinking better of it, he lumbered
+down the steps, mounted his horse and galloped
+off toward the place where he had left his
+herd in charge of an assistant.</p>
+
+<p>George camped two nights on the prairie, and on
+the third afternoon, an hour or two before sunset, he
+arrived within sight of one of the stage-company's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>
+deserted stables. Or, rather, it <i>was</i> deserted the
+last time he saw it, but now there was an armed
+soldier in front of the door, and he was presently
+joined by others, one of whom, by signs, invited
+him to approach. George complied, and presently
+found himself surrounded by a squad of troopers
+under the command of Corporal Bob Owens, who
+greeted him as we have described.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p>
+
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>HOW BRYANT WAS CAPTURED.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Reveille was sounded the next morning by
+Corporal Owens, who, having no drum or
+bugle at his command, sprang up at daylight and
+aroused his slumbering companions by shouting out
+the order, "Catch up!" More from the force of
+habit than anything else, he called the roll while
+he was bundling up the blankets on which he and
+George had slept, and, making the sergeant's salute
+to an imaginary officer, he announced: "All present
+or accounted for." Then Carey was ordered to
+boil the coffee, and Bob and the three troopers who
+were off duty went out to groom the horses. Having
+brought no brushes or currycombs with them,
+they were obliged to content themselves with rubbing
+the animals down with handfuls of grass; but
+they "went through the motions," as Bob expressed
+it, and that was all the most exacting officer could
+have expected of them under the circumstances.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As soon as breakfast had been eaten the troopers
+and their prisoners set out on the return march,
+Bob and the new scout leading the way. Behind
+them came the deserters, guarded on each flank and
+in the rear by two cavalrymen. Their advance
+was necessarily slow, for the captives had travelled
+rapidly the day before in order to put a safe distance
+between themselves and the fort, and they
+were weary and footsore. Gus Robbins, especially,
+was nearly "done up." He was in a worse condition
+than Talbot was, for the latter seemed to
+have slept off the effects of his wound. George
+felt the greatest compassion for Gus, and offered
+to lend him his horse; but Bob, who had grown
+somewhat hardened to suffering during his experience
+in the army, positively forbade it.</p>
+
+<p>"It wouldn't do, George," said he, looking admiringly
+at his friend's sleek, well-conditioned
+animal, which was constantly champing his bit and
+tossing his head as if he were growing impatient
+at the slow progress they were making. "Gus
+would make a break for liberty sure, and as that
+nag of yours is able to distance anything in my
+party, I'd have to&mdash;" Here Bob tapped his carbine
+significantly. "That's something I don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>
+want to do. Gus isn't so nearly exhausted as he
+seems to be. He is more distressed in mind than
+he is in body, for he is thinking of the prison at
+Fort Leavenworth. After we have gone a few
+miles we will rest them by taking them up behind
+us, but it wouldn't be a very bright trick to give
+one of them a horse to himself."</p>
+
+<p>About eleven o'clock a halt was ordered, and
+the deserters, who were riding behind the troopers,
+having dismounted, Corporal Owens took Carey
+off on one side and gave him some very emphatic
+instructions. Then he and George also dismounted,
+and, leaving their horses behind, made their way
+cautiously toward a ridge a short distance in advance
+of them. As they neared the top they threw
+themselves on their hands and knees and crept up
+until they could look over it. They were in plain
+view of the squatter's cabin at which the troopers
+had stopped to eat their dinner the day before.
+Bob took just one look at it, and then hastily
+backed down the ridge again.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see that fellow chopping wood in front
+of the shanty?" said he, addressing himself to
+George. "That's the man I am looking for."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Am I sure that I have a pair of good eyes?"
+asked Bob in reply. "Of course I am. I recognized
+him in spite of his citizen's clothes. That
+squatter has rigged him out in some of his own
+duds, but they'll not save him if I can manage in
+some way to get between him and the cabin."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps, in order to make 'assurance doubly
+sure,' you had better take my field-glass and have
+another look at him," said George. "A false
+move might prove fatal to you, for it would show
+the squatter that you suspect him of harboring one
+of your men, and that would put both him and the
+deserter on their guard. But if that is your man,
+I am sorry for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you?" demanded Bob, looking at his
+companion in great surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean that I am sorry you found him here,"
+George hastened to explain, "for the chances are
+that you will not take him without a fight. Peasley&mdash;that's
+the name of the owner of the cabin&mdash;is
+a notorious rough, and he would think no more of
+putting a bullet into you, if he thought he could
+escape the consequences, than he would of knocking
+over an antelope for breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought he looked like that kind of a chap,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>
+said Bob. "Well, if he wants a fight he can be
+accommodated at very short notice. That's my
+man, and I am going to have him, squatter or no
+squatter."</p>
+
+<p>As Bob gave utterance to this emphatic declaration
+he took the field-glass, which George handed
+over to him, crept up to the top of the ridge, and
+after taking a short survey of the cabin and its surroundings
+came back to his friend's side again.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew I couldn't be mistaken," said he. "I
+had a fair view of his face, and as I have seen him
+every day for the last year, of course I couldn't
+fail to recognize him. The squatter is sitting on
+the porch smoking his pipe. Now, how shall I go
+to work to nab him? That's the question."</p>
+
+<p>"Ride straight up to him and tell him that you
+want him," answered George. "I know of no
+easier way. I will go with you and see that Peasley
+doesn't double-team on you."</p>
+
+<p>"But Bryant will run into the house the moment
+he sees me," said Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Then run right in after him and pull him out
+again," answered George promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"I am almost afraid to do it. You see, the
+civil law is supposed to be supreme, and we soldiers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>
+have to mind what we are about, or else there'll be
+a big row raised about 'military despotism' and all
+that. I'd have to surround the house and keep
+him in there until I could send to the post and
+get authority from the colonel to go in after him.
+That is something I shouldn't like to do, for I
+have carried this thing through so far without help
+from anybody, and I want to complete the work
+myself. If I should ask for advice, the colonel
+would probably send a shoulder-strap down here
+to rob me of all the glory I have won," added Bob
+with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you needn't laugh over it," exclaimed
+George. "You have covered yourself with glory.
+It isn't every fellow who would go down into a
+dug-out to capture six armed men after one of them
+had given positive proof that he was not afraid to
+shoot. That bullet-hole in your coat is a badge of
+honor. Now, I have just thought of something:
+I have brought with me a full suit of Mexican
+clothes, and also a saddle and bridle of the Mexican
+pattern. You are just about my size&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That's the very idea&mdash;nothing could be better,"
+exclaimed Bob, as he arose to his feet and led the
+way toward the place where he had left his men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>
+"It will disguise me completely, won't it? I can
+ride up and get between him and the house before
+he suspects anything, can't I? But how about the
+squatter?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll join you as soon as I see that you have
+corralled your man," replied George. "And you
+had better tell your followers to hold themselves
+in readiness to come up promptly when I signal to
+them from the top of the ridge."</p>
+
+<p>The troopers awaited the boys' return with no
+little impatience, for the long consultation they had
+held on the ridge convinced them that their officer
+had discovered something on the other side of it.
+Bob gave them a wink and a nod, which instead
+of satisfying their curiosity only increased it, and
+then, to the surprise of all of them, began to divest
+himself of his outer clothing, while George
+threw off the canvas covering that protected his
+pack, and drew out of it an elegant silver-mounted
+saddle and bridle, and also a suit of clothes made
+in the height of the Mexican fashion.</p>
+
+<p>"If that man of yours is at all sharp he will
+notice those army-brogans the first thing, and so
+you had better pull them off and put on these,"
+said George, tossing a pair of light patent-leather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>
+shoes toward Bob. "There are the spurs. You
+had better take my horse too, for that 'U. S.'
+brand on your own nag would give you away in
+a minute. Now go easy, like an honest Greaser
+who is going about his legitimate business. Take
+my mule with you, for if you try to separate him
+from the horse he'll raise row enough to scare all
+the deserters out of the State."</p>
+
+<p>It is wonderful what an alteration is sometimes
+made in one's appearance by a mere change of
+clothing. After Bob had got into the Mexican
+suit and exchanged his cap for the wide sombrero
+with its gaudy cord and tassel, it was doubtful if
+there was one among his brother-troopers who
+would have recognized him if he had chanced to
+meet him unexpectedly. Although he was not
+quite yellow enough for a Mexican, he was nevertheless
+pretty well tanned, and George assured him
+that all he needed was a black moustache and a
+long goatee to transform him into a very good-looking
+Greaser.</p>
+
+<p>Everything being in readiness, Bob mounted
+George's horse, took the pack-mule's halter, which
+his friend passed up to him, and, after giving
+Carey instructions to bring up the squad and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>
+prisoners promptly when he was signalled to do
+so, he rode slowly away, the new scout following
+a short distance in his rear, mounted on Bob's
+nag.</p>
+
+<p>Arriving at the top of the ridge, Corporal Owens
+rode over it without pausing, and had not proceeded
+far before he became aware that he was
+discovered. The squatter got up and came to the
+end of the porch, the deserter ceased his chopping
+and leaned on his axe, and both shaded
+their eyes with their hands and looked at him.
+It was plain that they were not very well pleased
+with the result of their observations, for, after
+gazing at him for a few seconds, the squatter returned
+to his seat and puffed furiously at his pipe,
+and the deserter resumed his chopping. At the
+same moment the dogs appeared in force from
+under the cabin, their every action indicating that
+they had been summoned by the voice of their
+master. They looked up at him, wagging their
+tails vigorously, and then, encouraged, no doubt,
+by a low hiss or an order to "hunt 'em up," began
+running about with their heads high in the
+air. Discovering the approaching horseman, they
+started for him on the instant, each one striving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>
+to lead in the race and to growl and bark louder
+than his companions.</p>
+
+<p>"They don't think much of Greasers in this
+part of the country," said Bob to himself; "and
+I don't blame them. If I were a stock-raiser I
+shouldn't feel very hospitably inclined toward a
+class of men who are always on the watch for a
+chance to jump down on me and steal my cattle.
+I wonder if I shall have pluck enough to dismount
+in the midst of all these dogs and make
+the arrest?" added Bob as the fierce brutes closed
+about him, all of them with their ears laid back
+close to their heads and their hair turned the
+wrong way, and some crouching at his side as
+if they were about to spring up and pull him
+out of his saddle.&mdash;"Get out! If you interfere
+with my business there won't be as many of you
+to-night as there were this morning. Aha! there's
+one of you out of the muss already."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p155.jpg" alt="p155" title="Bob Captures the Deserter."/></div>
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Bob Captures the Deserter.</span></span></div>
+
+<p>For just here the mule gave a tug at his halter,
+and Bob, looking over his shoulder to see what
+was the matter, caught a momentary glimpse of a
+tawny body as it rose in the air, and, turning a
+complete somersault, landed on the ground all in
+a heap. One of the dogs, in his eagerness to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>
+something grand, had approached a little too close
+to the mule's heels&mdash;an impertinence which that
+sagacious quadruped promptly resented by kicking
+out with both hind feet and knocking his would-be
+assailant into a cocked hat. The dog was not
+killed, but he was terribly demoralized, and his
+howls of anguish did much to dampen the ardor
+of his companions, who quickly withdrew to a
+more respectful distance.</p>
+
+<p>Bob rode straight up to the house, but the
+squatter never looked at him, nor did the deserter
+stop his work. He drew rein in front of the porch,
+swung himself out of the saddle as quick as a flash,
+and, paying no attention to the dogs, which bayed
+him at a distance, but were too cowardly to assault
+him, he walked up to the deserter and tapped him
+on the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Bryant, I want you," said he.</p>
+
+<p>The deserter, whose back was turned toward Bob,
+wheeled on the instant, revealing a face that was as
+white as a sheet. Bob backed around a little, so
+that he could keep one eye on Bryant while he
+watched the squatter with the other, and saw the
+man spring to his feet in the greatest astonishment,
+his pipe dropping from his mouth as he arose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You didn't expect to see me again so soon,
+did you?" said Bob, addressing himself to nobody
+in particular.</p>
+
+<p>"Corporal Owens!" gasped the deserter, retreating
+a step or two, at the same time grasping
+his axe firmly in both hands and lifting it over
+his head. "Keep away from me; if you come
+a step nearer I'll&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Drop it!" commanded Bob sternly; and Bryant
+obeyed, for he saw the muzzle of a cocked revolver
+looking him squarely in the face.</p>
+
+<p>All this happened in less time than we have
+taken to tell it, but meanwhile the squatter had
+not been idle. Quickly recovering from his amazement,
+he darted into the cabin, and just as Bryant
+dropped the threatening axe he appeared upon the
+porch with his rifle in his hand. Cocking it as he
+drew it to his face, he covered Bob's head with the
+weapon, and said, in a voice that trembled with rage
+and excitement,</p>
+
+<p>"Look a here, young fellow, that's a game two
+can play at. Lower your shootin'-iron or I'll make
+daylight shine through you."</p>
+
+<p>"Plump him over, Peasley!" cried Bryant,
+"plump him over! You are not going to stand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>
+there and let him take me back to the fort, are
+you? You promised to protect me. Plump him
+over! put the dogs on him! Do something, and
+be quick about it."</p>
+
+<p>Bob bore himself with surprising courage during
+this trying ordeal. He did not know at what
+instant the squatter might comply with Bryant's
+frantic order to "plump him over" or to "put
+the dogs on him," but he never flinched. He did
+not even change color; and there is every reason
+to believe that his bold front saved his life.</p>
+
+<p>"Bryant," said he in a calm voice, "don't you
+know that the colonel will be sure to hear of
+this, and that you are only making a bad matter
+worse by holding out against the inevitable?&mdash;As
+for you, Peasley, you've got the drop on me,
+and you can shoot if you feel like it; but if you
+do you are a gone squatter. Look there," he
+added, jerking his thumb over his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>Peasley looked, and saw George Ackerman
+coming down the ridge at a furious gallop.</p>
+
+<p>"That is one of my backers, and there are
+six more who will be along in a minute. What
+did I tell you?" exclaimed Bob as the troopers
+and their prisoners came into view over the top<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>
+of the ridge. "Now, Peasley, if you don't behave
+yourself I'll take you to the fort under
+arrest. I am in the discharge of my duty, and I
+am not going to put up with any more nonsense."</p>
+
+<p>The squatter lowered his rifle, looked first at
+Bryant and then at the troopers, and seemed undecided
+how to act. While he hesitated George
+Ackerman dashed up to the porch, jumping out
+of his saddle before his horse had fairly stopped,
+and, knocking the dogs right and left with the
+heavy cavalry sabre which he had found fastened
+to Bob's saddle, he mounted the steps and laid
+hold of the squatter's rifle.</p>
+
+<p>"Peasley, what are you about?" he exclaimed
+as he twisted the weapon out of the man's unresisting
+grasp. "Are you a born idiot? If you
+are not, don't you know that if you raise a fuss
+here you won't have any roof left over your head
+in less than five minutes?"</p>
+
+<p>The squatter, muttering something under his
+breath, went back to his seat and picked up his
+pipe, and in a few minutes more the troopers and
+their prisoners arrived. At a sign from his officer,
+Loring dismounted and stood guard over Bryant,
+while Bob walked up to the porch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of the situation now, friend
+Peasley?" said he cheerfully. "I can't take that
+man to the fort in those clothes, and so I would
+thank you to trot out his uniform."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't know nothing 'bout no uniform," growled
+the squatter; "ain't none here."</p>
+
+<p>"I know better," answered Bob. "There is
+one here, and I must have it. You can either
+bring it out yourself or I shall search for it; and
+I give you fair warning that if I turn my boys
+loose in your shanty they'll handle things rough.&mdash;Now,
+what shall I do if that threat doesn't start
+him?" said Bob to himself. "I'll search the
+cabin and take the consequences; that's what I'll
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Peasley, save yourself trouble by bringing
+out the uniform," said George. "There's no
+use in being a fool."</p>
+
+<p>The squatter evidently began to think so too,
+for he sullenly rose from his seat and went into
+the cabin, coming out again in a few minutes with
+a bundle of clothing, which he threw spitefully
+down upon the porch. Bob quietly picked it up,
+and, carrying it down to Bryant, commanded him
+to pull off the squatter's clothes and put on his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>
+own; and Bryant at once complied, for he knew
+that if he did not Bob would detail two or three
+men to make the exchange for him. The new
+prisoner was then ordered to fall in with the rest,
+and the cavalcade once more took up its line of
+march for the fort; but a short stop was made as
+soon as they were out of sight of the squatter's
+cabin, during which Bob pulled off his disguise
+and put on his own garments.</p>
+
+<p>"If I am ever obliged to wear this suit, I hope
+it will serve me as well as it has served you to-day,"
+said George as he stowed the Mexican costume
+away in his pack and placed the silver-mounted
+saddle and bridle on top of it. "I didn't think
+it would so soon be brought into use."</p>
+
+<p>"If it hadn't been for that same suit I might
+have got myself into trouble," said Bob. "Knowing
+where Bryant was, I never should have gone
+back to the fort without him, and if he had taken
+refuge in the house I might have gone in after
+him. What the colonel would have said to me if
+I had done that, I don't know."</p>
+
+<p>During the ride to the fort Bob Owens, to quote
+from the troopers, "laughed all over." It was
+plain to everybody that he was highly elated over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>
+the results of the expedition, as he had an undoubted
+right to be. The pursuit and capture of the
+deserters had been conducted with considerable
+skill, and with as much determination as any veteran
+officer could have exhibited. Now that the
+danger was over, and his efforts to carry out the
+orders of his superior had been crowned with complete
+success, Bob was rather proud of that bullet-hole
+in his coat.</p>
+
+<p>The next time the order was given for the troopers
+to take the prisoners on their horses, George
+beckoned to Gus Robbins, who quickly mounted behind
+him. After conversing a while upon the various
+exciting incidents that had transpired while
+Gus was Ned Ackerman's guest at George's ranche,
+the latter said,</p>
+
+<p>"I never expected to meet you again, and I
+would rather not have met you at all than see you
+in this scrape."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it can't be helped now," answered Gus,
+with a weak unsuccessful attempt to appear defiant.
+"The colonel told me just what I might expect if I
+were ever again court-marshaled for desertion, and
+I went at it with my eyes open. I am not sorry I
+tried it, but I am sorry I didn't get away. If they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>
+don't watch me pretty closely, they will never have
+a chance to take me to Leavenworth."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you suppose your father will say when
+he finds it out?" asked George.</p>
+
+<p>"He will never find it out if I can help it."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you correspond with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not by a great sight. He doesn't know
+whether I am dead or alive. I wish I had
+changed my name when I enlisted."</p>
+
+<p>"He lives in Foxboro', Ohio, I believe?" said
+George.</p>
+
+<p>Gus replied that he did.</p>
+
+<p>"Is his name Gus too?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; his name is Thomas, and he is&mdash;I say,"
+exclaimed Gus suddenly, "what are you asking so
+many questions for? Do you intend to write to
+him about me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what object could I possibly have in doing
+that?" asked George, turning a very innocent-looking
+face toward the deserter. "I am sure it
+is none of my business what you do. Let's talk
+about something else. We are getting over the
+ground pretty rapidly now, and if Bob would let
+me I could land you in the fort in four hours. I
+don't suppose that you are in any hurry to get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>
+there, but what I meant was, that your additional
+weight would not prevent this horse of mine from
+travelling from here to the fort at his very best
+licks."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't weigh much now," said Gus with
+a sigh. "Hard work, hard fare, hard treatment
+and constant worry have brought me down to a
+hundred and ten pounds."</p>
+
+<p>"That's not very heavy for a seventeen-year-old
+boy."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am nineteen," said Gus, "but just now
+I feel as though I were forty."</p>
+
+<p>"And you look so, too," said George to himself.&mdash;"That
+was the reason I wanted to know
+your exact age."</p>
+
+<p>George had now learned all he cared to know
+about Gus Robbins. He was a minor, his father's
+name was Thomas and he lived in Foxboro', Ohio.
+He had gone to work in a roundabout way to gain
+this information, because he was afraid that if he
+asked Gus leading questions and told him what use
+he intended to make of his answers, the deserter
+would refuse to open his head. He had gained his
+point by strategy, and he did not intend that Gus
+should go to Leavenworth if he could help it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Bob's supply of rations being nearly exhausted,
+his men and the deserters had a very scant dinner,
+and they did not get anything more to eat until
+they reached the fort. About ten o'clock that
+night they were challenged by one of the sentries,
+and, not knowing the countersign, were obliged to
+wait until the corporal of the guard was called.
+Having at last been admitted inside of the stockade,
+Bob marched up in front of head-quarters,
+where he ordered a halt, and he and George dismounted
+and went in to report to the colonel.
+Bob was very much astonished at the manner in
+which the officer greeted the new scout, and so was
+the orderly. They had never before seen him unbend
+to anybody as he did to George. Having
+never been admitted into head-quarters except when
+they had business there&mdash;some report to make, some
+orders to receive or some sharp reprimand to listen
+to&mdash;they knew the commandant only as a stern,
+exacting officer who seemed to care for nothing
+but the "regulations," and they had never imagined
+that he could be cordial or friendly with
+any one. But now they saw their mistake. The
+colonel got up from his seat, shook the boy warmly
+by the hand, told him he was glad to see him,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>
+called him by his Christian name and pointed him
+to an easy-chair, while Bob was left to stand at attention
+until the colonel got ready to attend to
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"You are all ready for business I see, George,"
+said the colonel as he resumed his seat at the table.
+"Well, I'll give you a taste of army-life by sending
+you out on a scout to-morrow. I will tell you
+about it pretty soon. There's your room," he added,
+pointing to an apartment adjoining his own,
+"and when you get ready you can bring in your
+luggage. The officer of the day will show you
+where to put your horse. You will have to be
+your own servant, unless you are willing to hire
+a civilian and pay him out of your own pocket.
+I saw that you came in with Corporal Owens:
+did he arrest you?"</p>
+
+<p>"He was going to, sir," replied George, "but
+let me off when I showed him my furlough."</p>
+
+<p>"Corporal," continued the colonel, turning to
+Bob, who stood lost in wonder, "what report
+have you to make?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have the honor, sir, to report my entire
+success," was Bob's reply; "I've got them all."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are they now?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"On the parade, under guard, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good. Keep them there until further
+orders. Tell the officer of the day I want to
+see him."</p>
+
+<p>George thought this was rather hard. Bob had
+risked his life and displayed most commendable
+zeal and ability in carrying out the colonel's orders,
+and now the latter dismissed him without
+one single word to indicate that he appreciated
+his services. Why did he not question the corporal
+in regard to the manner in which the capture
+of the deserters had been effected, and reward
+him for his gallantry by making him a sergeant
+on the spot? That was what George thought <i>he</i>
+would have done if he had been commandant of
+the post, and he then and there resolved that a
+full history of Bob's exploit should be laid before
+the colonel before he went to sleep that
+night.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>GEORGE AT THE FORT.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Colonel, that young fellow has had a very
+hard time of it," said George when Bob had
+closed the door behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"I expected it," replied the officer carelessly.
+"It is a wonder to me that the deserters didn't
+kill him, for there were some hard characters
+among them and they were well armed."</p>
+
+<p>This remark would seem to indicate that the
+colonel was a most unfeeling man, and that he
+did not set much if any value upon the life of a
+non-commissioned officer; but such was not really
+the case. When he was a subaltern his superiors
+had often assigned to him some very hazardous
+undertakings, and when he attained to a rank
+that entitled him to a command he sent others
+into danger and thought nothing of it. A soldier's
+first and last duty was to obey any orders he might
+receive, and if he lost his life while in the act of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>
+executing those orders, why, it was nothing more
+than might be expected.</p>
+
+<p>"They did try to kill him," said George.
+"Didn't you notice that hole in the breast of his
+coat?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did, and I thought it looked as though it
+had been made by a bullet."</p>
+
+<p>"So it was. Bristow shot at him. He wanted
+to be revenged on Bob for telling you about those
+thirty men who tried to desert some time ago, and
+if he had been a little better marksman you would
+have been put to the trouble of appointing a new
+corporal in the place of as brave a boy as ever
+swung a sabre."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, George," exclaimed the colonel, becoming
+interested, "you are quite enthusiastic. Do
+you know Corporal Owens?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. He is the one who pulled me out
+of the river on the night the old Sam Kendall
+was burned."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes; you told me about that the first
+time you were here. Where did the corporal find
+Bristow and his party?"</p>
+
+<p>George answered this question by giving the
+colonel a circumstantial account of the pursuit, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>
+he had heard it from Bob's lips, and the manner
+in which he had gone to work to secure the deserters
+after he had discovered their place of refuge.
+His description of Bryant's arrest amused
+the officer, who declared that it was a very neat
+piece of strategy.</p>
+
+<p>Having placed Bob's case in the most favorable
+light possible, George then went on to tell the colonel
+about Springer's unexpected visit to his ranche,
+and described in detail the intended movements of
+Fletcher and his band. The officer said he had
+done right in sending the cattle-thief to warn the
+commandant at Eagle Pass, and had no doubt that
+that officer would take measures to assist the civil
+authorities at Rio Grande City in protecting the
+jail and giving Fletcher and his men a warm
+reception when they came across the river; but, in
+order to explain what happened afterward, we must
+here say that he did nothing of the kind. Unfortunately
+for Springer, he was recognized by some
+ranchemen who happened to be hanging about the
+post, and in spite of his protestations he was arrested
+and turned over to the marshal, who locked him up.
+No attention whatever was paid to his warning, and
+so positive was the marshal that there was "some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>thing
+back of it" that he would not even permit
+the prisoner to tell his story.</p>
+
+<p>The cattle-thief remained in jail until the next
+full moon, and then Fletcher and his men suddenly
+made their appearance, just as Springer said they
+would. As no precautions had been taken to guard
+the prison, the raiders had an easy victory, and before
+assistance could arrive from the Pass, Springer
+and the murderers of the cowboy had been released
+and Fletcher was safe across the river. Springer,
+of course, was much too sharp to tell how he came
+to be an inmate of the jail, and the boss cattle-thief,
+believing that he had been arrested while trying to
+carry out his instructions, treated him with the
+greatest consideration.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you mean by saying that you would
+give me a taste of army-life by sending me out on
+a scout to-morrow?" asked George after he had
+finished his story. "Any raiding going on about
+here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes. I am going to send Clinton out to
+punish a war-party of Kiowas if he can catch them.
+I am aware you are used to roughing it, but you
+know nothing about campaigning with troops, and I
+thought I would give you a chance to get your hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>
+in before I call upon you to lead us across the river.
+Some young bucks belonging to Satanta's band, the
+most of them mere boys, have broken away from
+their agency and come down here in pursuit of scalps
+and fame. Among other outrages which they have
+committed, they jumped down on a poor fellow the
+other day, killed or scattered his herdsmen, drove
+off his stock and carried his two children into captivity.
+I should like to be the means of ridding
+the frontier of that villain, for he is dangerous.
+During a peace-council that was held at Fort Dodge
+some time ago, Satanta talked so glibly about his
+desire to cultivate friendly relations with us, and
+his unalterable determination to 'follow the white
+man's road' in future, that he really succeeded in
+making the commissioners believe that he was sincere
+in what he said. To encourage him in his
+good resolutions, the department commander and
+staff presented him with a uniform coat and sash
+and a brigadier-general's hat. How the wily old
+scoundrel must have laughed in his sleeve when he
+saw how completely he had bamboozled some of
+our best soldiers!"</p>
+
+<p>"How long did he keep his promise?" asked
+George.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"About three weeks, and then he led an attack,
+dressed in his new uniform, against the fort in
+which the council was held. Oh, he's a good one!
+I know you didn't come here to fight Indians, but
+you'll have to hold yourself in readiness for anything
+that turns up."</p>
+
+<p>"You will always find me around when you
+want me," replied George. "May I write a letter
+here?" he continued, seeing that the colonel picked
+up his pen and turned to his table to resume
+some writing in which he had been interrupted
+when Bob and the new scout came in to report.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. There are pens, ink and paper; help
+yourself. There's the letter-box over there. The
+mail-carrier goes out to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>Before George could begin work on his letter
+the officer of the day came in. He shook hands
+with the new-comer, to whom he had been introduced
+on the occasion of the boy's first visit to
+the fort, and was told by the colonel to put the
+deserters into the guard-house, to show George
+where to stake out his horse and mule, and to
+see that he had somebody to help him bring in
+his pack-saddle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The work of bringing in his luggage and taking
+care of his animals was soon performed, and then
+George came back and began his letter. It took
+him a long time to write it, for he wanted to make
+it one that would produce an impression upon the
+person to whom it was addressed. It was to Gus
+Robbins's father. It conveyed to that gentleman
+the information that although his son was alive
+and in fair bodily health, he had brought himself
+into serious trouble, having been detected in two
+attempts at desertion, and unless his friends at
+home interested themselves in his behalf he had
+a fair prospect of going to prison. If Mr. Robbins
+would move in the matter he could easily procure
+the culprit's discharge from the service, for he
+was a minor and had enlisted without his father's
+consent; but if there was anything done it must
+be done quickly, for it was probable that a court-martial
+would be convened in a very few days.
+Having sealed and addressed the letter, he bade
+the colonel good-night and went to bed, feeling
+satisfied that he had done all he could for the
+unfortunate Gus.</p>
+
+<p>George slept soundly, as he always did, but the
+morning gun and the first notes of reveille awoke<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>
+him. While he was making his toilet with his
+usual care and deliberation&mdash;as we have said, his
+long intercourse with river-dandies had made him
+very particular on this point&mdash;his friend, Bob
+Owens, and the men who occupied the quarters
+with him, were hurrying on their clothes in order
+to get into line in time to answer to their names
+at roll-call. While they were dressing they talked,
+and this was a portion of the conversation that
+took place between the corporal and one of the
+colonel's orderlies&mdash;the same one who had been
+on duty when Bob went in to report his arrival
+with the deserters.</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Owens," exclaimed the orderly, "who
+was that nobby young officer who came in with
+you last night? What is his name, and what rank
+does he hold? I know he is green, for he didn't
+know enough to put on a dress-coat before he went
+into the colonel's presence."</p>
+
+<p>"His name is George Ackerman," answered Bob,
+"but he is not an officer; he's a scout."</p>
+
+<p>"'A scout'!" repeated the orderly in a tone of
+contempt. "He is a pretty-looking scout, I must
+say. What does he know about life on the
+Plains?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He knows a good deal more about it than anybody
+in this room, for he was born right here in
+Texas," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Has he ever seen service?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but he knows what danger is, and he has
+been in some situations that you wouldn't care to
+be placed in. During long months of his life he
+lived in constant fear of a violent death."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't doubt that he told you so, but I don't
+believe it, all the same," observed the orderly.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't help that. I am personally acquainted
+with him, and you are not. I was with him when
+the steamer to which he belonged was burned on
+the Mississippi River, and came to Texas with him.
+He owns a big cattle-ranche a few miles from here,
+and has an income of about forty thousand dollars
+a year."</p>
+
+<p>"Aha! that accounts for the milk in the cocoa-nut,"
+exclaimed the orderly. "I know now why
+it was that the colonel met him in so friendly a
+manner. Even those stern old regulars soften in
+the presence of one who was born with a silver
+spoon in his mouth, don't they?"</p>
+
+<p>"But George Ackerman's money didn't get him
+the position he holds," said Bob quickly. "He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>
+has been a prisoner among the cattle-thieves on
+the other side of the river, and knows where they
+hang out. He is here to act as our guide when
+we pursue the raiders across the river."</p>
+
+<p>"What did the cattle-thieves take him prisoner
+for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because they were promised twenty thousand
+dollars for it by George's guardian, who wanted
+to get him out of the way, so that his son could
+inherit George's property. But he managed to
+escape from them, went up North and became a
+pilot, and it was while he was serving in that capacity
+that I made his acquaintance."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a very pretty story," remarked the orderly,
+"but doesn't it sound almost too much like
+a dime novel?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you don't believe it ask Gus Robbins, if
+you get a chance to speak to him. He knows
+George, and has reason to be grateful to him too.
+Gus came down here to visit Ned Ackerman while
+the latter's father was acting as George's guardian,
+and got himself into trouble that would have ended
+seriously if George had not befriended him.
+It was through that same visit that Gus got into
+the army."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Did you hear what the colonel said to him
+about a servant?" asked the orderly. "Whoever
+saw a scout with a servant? I never did, and
+neither did I ever before see a man holding that
+position treated with so much consideration by a
+post-commander. I can't account for it."</p>
+
+<p>Bob could not account for it either, and so he
+attempted no explanation. We may tell the reader
+that there were two good reasons for it. In the
+first place, George was not a regular scout; he
+might, with more propriety, have been called a
+volunteer aide. It is true that he was sworn into
+the service, and that he was bound to do his duty
+faithfully "during the pleasure of the commanding
+officer" of Fort Lamoine, but he drew no
+pay from the government. He did not even ask
+that he should be fed while he lived at the fort,
+but stood ready to pay his share of the mess-bill.
+He had freely offered his services as guide to the
+troops because he, in common with every rancheman
+and farmer in that country, wanted the raiding-parties
+broken up, and he believed that he
+could do as much, if not more, toward accomplishing
+that object than any other single civilian. He
+was not obliged to wear a uniform (being sworn in,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>
+he had a <i>right</i> to wear it), but he had purchased it
+for the same reason that he had purchased the
+Mexican costume and the other clothing he had
+brought with him&mdash;because he believed it might
+some day be of use to him. We have already
+seen how one of his disguises came into play. If
+he had not brought with him that Mexican suit,
+it is hard to tell how Bryant would have been
+captured.</p>
+
+<p>In the next place, the colonel was an old acquaintance
+and friend of George's father. He
+had often enjoyed Mr. Ackerman's hospitality, and
+he could say, with Zeke, that he had carried George
+in his arms when the latter was a "yelling baby
+not knee-high to a duck," and when he himself
+was nothing but a second lieutenant. Since that
+time a great many things had happened. Mr.
+Ackerman and his wife were dead, the second
+lieutenant had passed through a terrible war, had
+worn a major-general's shoulder-straps in the
+volunteer army and won a brevet colonelcy in
+the regulars, and George had grown almost to
+manhood. Neither of them knew of the presence
+of the other in that country until George, accompanied
+by Mr. Gilbert and a few other ranchemen,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>
+came to the fort to offer his services. The colonel
+knew the boy as soon as he heard his name, and it
+was on account of the respect and affection he cherished
+for the memory of his father that he extended
+so cordial a greeting to him; but, like all the other
+soldiers who had seen him, the colonel did not think
+that George was just the guide he wanted.</p>
+
+<p>"I need somebody with age and experience,
+George," said he, "and you have neither. I know
+you can handle a herd of cattle and manage your
+ranche in good style, but I am not so certain of
+your ability to act as guide to my troops. I admire
+your pluck, and I should be glad to have you
+come here and live until you get tired of it; and
+in order to make it lawful for you to stay here, I
+will give you a position as forage-master."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very much obliged to you, sir, but that
+is a berth I don't want," answered George. "I
+want to help put down those raiders."</p>
+
+<p>"But just think of the responsibility that would
+rest upon you," protested the colonel. "A single
+blunder on your part might cripple me fearfully."</p>
+
+<p>"You need have no fears on that score," said
+Mr. Gilbert. "George is good wherever you put<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>
+him. He is acquainted with Fletcher, who is the
+most active of all the raiders who trouble us; he
+knows where he hangs out, and he is the only
+one on this side of the river who does. When
+it comes to trailing, he is at home there too.
+Can you look at a trail and tell how old it is
+and how many men or horses made it?"</p>
+
+<p>No, the colonel couldn't do that. He always
+looked to his scouts for information on those
+points.</p>
+
+<p>"George can do it," said Mr. Gilbert. "He
+has served his time under one of the best trailers
+in the country; and that is Zeke, his herdsman."</p>
+
+<p>After a little more conversation the colonel,
+although not without many misgivings, accepted
+the offer of George's services; and he never had
+occasion to regret it. During the very first expedition
+that was sent out of the fort after he
+reported there for duty he showed what he was
+made of, and gave the colonel reason for placing
+almost unlimited confidence in his judgment.
+Acting as Bob Owens's counsellor, he enabled
+the latter to perform an exploit that made him
+the lion of the post.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Having dressed himself, George passed through
+the colonel's office and out through the hall to
+the parade. In the outer door was seated a man
+who was bent half double, with his elbows resting
+on his knees and his face buried in his hands.
+Hearing the sound of the boy's footsteps, he raised
+his head, revealing a countenance so haggard and
+sorrowful that George was startled at the sight of
+it. The man moved aside to allow him room to
+pass, and then covered his face with his hands
+again, and as George walked out he was sure
+he heard him utter a suppressed moan. The
+man was not a soldier, for he was dressed in
+citizen's clothes. He looked like a rancheman;
+and as George was a rancheman himself, he naturally
+felt some sympathy for the unknown sufferer.
+After hesitating a moment, weighing in
+his mind the propriety of the step he was about
+to take, he turned back and asked,</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter with you, sir? Are you
+ill?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Ill'?" repeated the man, without looking up.
+"Worse than that&mdash;worse than that."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there anything that I can do for you?" asked
+George. "You seem to be in great trouble."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As these words fell upon his ear the man
+straightened up, and, gazing at George with a pair
+of wild-looking eyes, said, in a voice that was rendered
+husky by some strong emotion,</p>
+
+<p>"I am in trouble, partner, and although I do
+not think you can help me in any way, I feel
+grateful to you for your sympathy. I have been
+bounced by the hostiles and cleaned out&mdash;completely
+cleaned out."</p>
+
+<p>"That <i>is</i> bad," returned George, who told himself
+that the man took his loss very much to heart.
+He knew a good many stock-raisers who had been
+"bounced" and "cleaned out," but he had never
+before seen one who seemed to be so utterly broken
+down by his misfortunes as this one did.
+The stranger's next words, however, explained it
+all.</p>
+
+<p>"The loss of my ranche and stock I don't
+mind," said he; "that's nothing. But when one
+sees his two motherless boys carried off by the red
+fiends, while he is powerless to help them, it's
+pretty rough, it's pretty rough."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, this must be the man the colonel told
+me about last night," said George to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I should not fear that the savages would raise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>
+their hands against the lives of the boys (they are
+too young to be put to torture, one being eight and
+the other ten years of age) if it were not for one
+thing," continued the bereaved father, jumping to
+his feet and pacing back and forth like a caged tiger.
+"I made a hard fight of it, and dropped a Kiowa
+for every year of my oldest boy's age. Of course
+the death of those warriors will have to be avenged
+by their relatives. Perhaps you don't know it,
+but that is Indian law."</p>
+
+<p>"I do know it," interrupted George. "I
+couldn't have lived so close to these raiders, both
+Indians and Mexicans, nearly all my life without
+learning something about their ways, could I? I
+am a Texan, like yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"You are? I took you for a Yankee soldier."</p>
+
+<p>"There's where you made a mistake," replied
+George. "I was born in Miller county in this
+State, and I am here to act as guide to the troops
+when they cross the river in pursuit of the cattle-thieves."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! Put it there!" exclaimed the man, extending
+his hand, while his face for the moment
+showed the pleasure he felt at the meeting. "My
+name is Wentworth; what is yours?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>George told him, and Mr. Wentworth said he
+had often heard the name, and in a roundabout
+way had learned something of the family history.</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard of you too," said George. "You
+have often been obliged to run in order to save
+your life and stock, have you not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I have always succeeded in getting
+safely away; but there is a first time for everybody,
+and mine came three days ago. I was going
+on to say that I am afraid the savages will
+take vengeance on my helpless little boys for the
+braves I shot in the fight," continued Mr. Wentworth.
+"If they don't do that, they will probably
+hold them for ransom; but they might as
+well tomahawk the boys at once and put them
+out of their misery, for I haven't a horn nor a
+hoof nor a cent of money to give in exchange
+for them. I know I have seen them for the last
+time, but won't I make it hot for those who stole
+them?"</p>
+
+<p>George could not say anything comforting. The
+sight of the strong man's overwhelming grief struck
+him dumb.</p>
+
+<p>"I know some of the bucks who were in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>
+fight," continued Mr. Wentworth, grinding his
+teeth and rubbing his hands nervously together.
+"They have often camped on my ranche when
+they came down here buffalo-hunting. I don't
+care what treaties our government may make with
+that tribe; there will be eternal war between me
+and them. No Kiowa shall ever cross my trail
+and live&mdash;no, not if I hang for it. I only wish
+that some of those peace commissioners&mdash;those
+lunatics who believe that an Indian is a human
+being and needs only kind treatment to make
+him peaceable and friendly&mdash;could stand in my
+boots this minute. I tell you, Ackerman, if one
+of them were here now I'd stand and see an
+Indian shoot him, and never lift a hand in his
+defence. I got in last night and told the colonel
+about it, and he said he would send out a couple
+of companies this morning with orders to overtake
+and punish them if possible; but he might
+as well save his men and horses, for it isn't possible.
+They have reached the Staked Plains by
+this time, and are safe from pursuit. This is a
+lovely government for a white man to live under,
+isn't it? It is too cowardly to protect us from
+the Mexicans, and too tender-hearted to hang<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>
+an Indian for murder unless he happens to kill
+some one high in authority, like General Canby."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wentworth seemed almost beside himself
+when he thought of his boys, who were now so
+many miles away from him, for then it was that
+he realized how powerless he was to help them.
+He went on in this strain until he had talked
+himself out of breath, and then he went back
+to his seat on the doorstep and covered his face
+with his hands.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"It is a hard case," said George to himself
+as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and
+I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has
+seen his children for the last time. In the first
+place, the chances are that the Indians, having so
+long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they
+go out of their way to attack other isolated
+ranches, and the troops should come up with
+them, their very first act, if they saw that they
+were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their
+captives, so that they could not be rescued. It
+<i>is</i> a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't see that
+anything can be done about it. I wish Zeke were
+here to give his opinion on the subject."</p>
+
+<p>The troopers, having answered to the names, were
+going out to bring in their horses preparatory to
+grooming them, and George went with them to
+bring in his own. Nearly an hour was devoted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>
+to this important duty, which was performed under
+the watchful eye of an officer, and although
+George often saw his friend Bob, the latter did
+not speak to him. There were a good many shoulder-straps
+around, and work, and not talk, was the
+order of the day. Even those of the officers who,
+having no servants, were obliged to act as their
+own grooms, had very little to say to one another;
+but when these same officers were gathered around
+the breakfast-table half an hour later, they were
+lively and talkative enough. There they met
+on a footing of perfect equality, like the members
+of a private family, although the juniors did not
+forget to say "sir" when addressing their superiors.
+There were no orders issued during the progress
+of the meal, and in fact very little was said about
+military matters; but still, George heard enough
+to satisfy him that active operations against the
+thieving Kiowas were to be commenced immediately,
+and that he was to make one of an expedition
+upon whose success a good deal depended.</p>
+
+<p>The appearance of the officers as they passed
+into the hall after rising from the breakfast-table
+must have been a signal to the bugler who stood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>
+in front of the door of head-quarters, for as soon
+as he saw them he raised his instrument to his
+lips and blew a shrill call. The clear, ringing
+notes had scarcely ceased when there was a commotion
+in the barracks, and a crowd of men came
+pouring out and hurried toward the stables. There
+were a hundred and twenty of them, and they
+belonged to the troops A, E and L&mdash;the latter
+commonly called the "Brindles"&mdash;of which Captain
+Clinton's scouting-party was to be composed.</p>
+
+<p>"That's 'Boots and saddles,' George," said the
+colonel, who stood in the doorway appearing to
+notice nothing, but in reality keeping a close watch
+over the movements of the men to see that everything
+was done in accordance with the "regulations."
+"You are to go with Clinton, you know.
+Are you ready?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will be in half a minute," replied the
+boy.</p>
+
+<p>The stirring notes of the bugle, or the prospect
+of soon meeting face to face some of the bloodthirsty
+savages who had devastated Mr. Wentworth's
+home, must have excited George, so that
+he did not readily lay his hand upon the articles
+he wanted, for considerably more than half a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>
+minute elapsed before he again appeared with
+his Winchester on his back, a bag of cartridges
+slung over his shoulder and a revolver buckled
+about his waist. He ran to the stable, and had
+just put the saddle and bridle on his horse when
+another call of the bugle was heard. This was
+"To horse," and in obedience the troopers left
+the stable and fell into line on the parade, each
+man standing at the head of his nag. George
+did not belong in line&mdash;in fact, he did not know
+where he <i>did</i> belong&mdash;so he kept his eye on Captain
+Clinton, and when he saw that officer mount
+the horse which an orderly brought up to him,
+George at once placed himself in his own saddle,
+and, riding up to the steps where the colonel
+was standing, awaited further developments.</p>
+
+<p>"Prepare to mount!" commanded Captain Clinton
+as he rode up in front of his own troop, and
+the words were immediately repeated by the other
+two company commanders.</p>
+
+<p>In obedience to this order each trooper placed
+his left foot in the stirrup, and at the command
+"Mount!" which was given soon after, they all
+rose from the ground as if moved by the same
+set of springs, and seated themselves in the saddles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>
+at the same instant. No man was a half a second
+ahead or behind his companions. The three company
+officers then rode back to the colonel to report
+that their respective companies were ready to
+march, and after they had listened to some verbal
+instructions from him, they bade him and the rest
+of the officers good-bye, the bugle sounded the
+"Advance," and the troopers, moving four abreast&mdash;or,
+as a soldier would have expressed it, in column
+of fours&mdash;rode out of the gate. There they found
+Wentworth seated on a wiry little mustang, which
+looked altogether too small to carry so heavy a
+rider. Recognizing George, who rode by Captain
+Clinton's side, he gave him a friendly nod, and
+without saying a word turned his horse and rode
+away, the troopers following a short distance in
+his rear.</p>
+
+<p>When soldiers are on the march and in no danger
+of immediate contact with the enemy, they are
+allowed numerous privileges, of which the troopers
+composing this particular scouting-party were not
+slow to avail themselves. Some of them drew
+their pipes from their pockets and filled up for a
+smoke, others threw one leg over the horns of their
+saddles and rode sideways, "woman-fashion," and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>
+conversation became general all along the line.
+But this talking and smoking did not interfere
+with their marching, for they rode rapidly, and
+made such good progress that by three o'clock in
+the afternoon they were within sight of the ruins
+of Mr. Wentworth's ranche. And a sorry sight
+it was, too. Nothing but a pile of blackened sun-dried
+bricks remained to mark the spot on which a
+few days ago had stood a happy home. Household
+furniture of every description was scattered around,
+but every article had been smashed beyond all hope
+of repair. What the savages had not been able to
+carry away with them they had ruthlessly destroyed.
+George did not wonder that Mr. Wentworth
+felt vindictive. The man did not have a word to
+say, but the expression that came to his face as he
+sat in his saddle gazing sorrowfully at the ruins of
+his home spoke volumes.</p>
+
+<p>When the troopers came within sight of the
+ranche, George discovered that there was a horse
+staked out near the ruins, and that he had an
+owner in the person of a tall, gaunt man, who rose
+from the ground and rubbed his eyes as if he had
+just awakened from a sound sleep. His dress was
+an odd mixture of the civilized and savage. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>
+wore a pair of infantryman's trousers, a rancheman's
+red shirt, and an Indian blanket of the
+same color was thrown over his shoulders. His
+head was covered by a Mexican sombrero, and his
+feet were protected by a pair of gaudily-ornamented
+moccasins. While waiting for the troopers to
+come up he filled a short black pipe and lighted it
+at the smoldering fire beside which he had been
+sleeping.</p>
+
+<p>"That's Mountain Mose," said Captain Clinton
+in reply to George's inquiring look. "He no
+doubt gave himself the name because he has lived
+on the Plains all his life. He is a lazy, worthless
+vagabond, but what he doesn't know about Indians
+isn't worth knowing. If he would only wake up
+and display a little energy, he would be invaluable
+as a scout."</p>
+
+<p>"What is he doing here?" asked George. "He
+seems to be waiting for us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I expected to find him at this place. He
+has been out to take a look at the trail of that war-party
+who did all this damage.&mdash;Well, Mose, any
+news?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not much, cap," drawled the scout. "You
+put straight for the Staked Plains, an' if you are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>
+lively enough to ketch 'em anywhar, you'll ketch
+'em thar."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we shall never get the cattle," said the
+captain. "If the Indians are going in there, they
+intend that the stock shall die of thirst rather than
+fall into our hands."</p>
+
+<p>"That's jest their little game, cap," said the
+scout, puffing at his pipe. "You see, they'll keep
+along on the edge of the desert, so't they can have
+grass an' water in plenty, an' if you don't pester
+'em none they won't go into the Staked Plains at
+all; but if you push 'em hard they'll run the critters
+in thar an' leave 'em, hopin' that you will
+run your hosses an' men to death while you are
+huntin' 'em up. You won't never see the young
+ones, nuther; an' I don't see why the colonel sent
+out sich a party as this so late in the day, anyhow.
+We'd oughter been a hundred miles along that thar
+trail by sun-up this mornin'."</p>
+
+<p>George felt the deepest sympathy for Mr. Wentworth,
+who listened attentively to what the scout
+had to say, although he said nothing in return.
+His almost overwhelming sorrow showed itself
+in his face, but did not take the form of words.</p>
+
+<p>As Captain Clinton had made no halt for din<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>ner,
+the colonel having instructed him to find and
+receive the report of the scout as soon as possible,
+he decided to stop here and allow his men an hour
+or two for rest and refreshment. Giving their
+horses into the charge of some of the troopers,
+he and his two company commanders walked
+away with the scout, while George rode off to
+hunt up Bob Owens. He staked his own horse
+out beside Bob's, and then walked back with him
+to take a nearer view of the ruins.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you suppose that that man in the
+sombrero and moccasins knows that the Indians
+who did this have fled toward the Staked Plains?"
+asked Bob after he and his friend had spent some
+moments in silent contemplation of the savages'
+handiwork. "He certainly hasn't had time enough
+to follow the trail clear to those plains."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," answered George. "But he
+probably followed it far enough to see that it
+leads in that direction."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, explain another thing while you are
+about it," continued Bob. "I have been out on
+a scout before now after the hostiles, following a
+trail that was as plain as the nose on one's face,
+when all at once the scout would leave that trail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>
+and strike off over the prairie where there wasn't
+a sign of a pony-track."</p>
+
+<p>"He was taking a short cut on the Indians,"
+observed George.</p>
+
+<p>"I know that, and sooner or later he would
+bring us back to that trail again; and sometimes
+we would have gained so much on the hostiles&mdash;who
+had perhaps been twenty-four hours' journey
+ahead of us when we left the trail&mdash;that we would
+find their camp-fires still smoking. Now, what
+I want to know is this: How did that scout know
+that those Indians were going to that particular
+spring or creek or ravine near which we found
+the trail?"</p>
+
+<p>"Have you ever hunted foxes?" asked George.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say I had. When I left home I
+owned a hound that couldn't be beaten in running
+them, for he was posted in all their tricks.
+But what have foxes to do with hostile Indians?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am simply going to use the tricks of the
+one, which you understand, to explain the tricks
+of the other, which you do not understand," replied
+George. "They are a good deal alike in
+some respects. A fox, when he finds himself hard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>
+pressed, will resort to all sorts of manoeuvres to
+throw the hounds off the trail. One of his tricks
+is to run over a newly-ploughed field, if he can
+find one, where the scent will not lie. What would
+that brag hound of yours do in such a case? Would
+he waste valuable time in running about over that
+field trying to pick up a scent that wasn't there?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, he wouldn't. He would run around the
+outside of the field until he found the place where
+the fox left it."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly. Now, an Indian is just as full of
+tricks as a fox is. When he is afraid of pursuit
+he will break his party up into small bands, and,
+although the trails made by these bands will lead
+in different directions at the start, you will find,
+if you break up your own party and follow them
+for a while, that they all tend toward the same
+points, where these little bands will all be reunited.
+Of course each of the trails will be obliterated
+as much as possible. Some of them will lead over
+rocky ground, where the hoof of a pony will
+leave no imprint; others will come to an abrupt
+termination on the bank of some stream; and
+others still will end at a place where the prairie
+has been burned over. When these war-parties<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>
+break up in the way I have described, a place of
+meeting is always agreed on beforehand; and if
+a scout understands his business he can tell pretty
+nearly where that place is, for it is sure to be on
+the straightest and most direct route to the agency
+if the raiders belong to a 'friendly' tribe, or to
+their principal village if they belong to a tribe
+that is openly hostile. If these Kiowas take to
+the Staked Plains, they will probably enter it
+directly north of here, at its widest part. Then
+this Mountain Mose, if he is the scout he pretends
+to be, will leave their trail to take care of itself
+and draw a bee-line for the nearest water; and it
+will take thirty hours' rapid marching to reach it,
+too."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know? Have you ever been
+there?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but my herdsman Zeke has; and he has
+described the course to be followed so minutely
+that I can go there any day the sun shines or any
+night when the stars shine."</p>
+
+<p>Bob did not say anything, but his friend noticed
+that he looked a little incredulous.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not so difficult as it appears to be at first
+glance," George hastened to say. "Why, when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>
+a party of young Indians want to go into a strange
+country for plunder and scalps, they gather around
+some old warrior, who traces on the ground the direction
+in which they must travel in order to reach
+that country, describes all the water-courses and
+locates the principal landmarks to be found along
+the route; and with nothing but these verbal instructions
+to guide them, these little rascals, some
+of them not more than thirteen or fourteen years
+of age, will make a journey of hundreds of miles
+through a region that none of them have ever
+visited before. My bump of locality is not so
+large as an Indian's, but still I have a pretty good
+memory, and I have travelled many a mile through
+a strange country without going a step out of my
+way."</p>
+
+<p>"What sort of a looking place is Staked Plains,
+anyhow?" asked Bob. "I have heard so many terrible
+stories told about it that I am almost afraid
+of it. What gave it that name? Are there any
+<i>stakes</i> there?"</p>
+
+<p>Bob was inclined to be facetious when he said
+this, and consequently he was not a little astonished
+to hear George say in reply,</p>
+
+<p>"There may not be any stakes there now, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>
+there used to be. It <i>is</i> a terrible place, and many
+a wagon-train has left its bones there. It is big
+enough to get lost in, for it lacks only about six
+thousand square-miles of being as large as the State
+of New York; and although it is not exactly a
+desert, as we understand the word, it is a barren
+waste, where nothing living permanently resides
+on account of the great scarcity of water. A long
+time ago the Mexican traders marked out a route
+with stakes across the plain where they found a
+few small fountains, and that was what gave it the
+name it bears. Zeke says it is a perfect bake-oven.
+There are no trees to shelter you, no grass for your
+horses, no fuel to build a fire with, and an almost
+unearthly silence broods over it. I am not superstitious,
+but Zeke always speaks of it with a shudder,
+and I tell you I don't want to see any place
+that he is afraid of."</p>
+
+<p>The two friends continued to talk in this way
+until Captain Clinton's cook came up and told
+George that dinner was ready. They rested half
+an hour after the meal was over, and then set out
+again, Mountain Mose leading the way and Mr.
+Wentworth, as before, riding by himself. As
+George was a sort of supernumerary, he was under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>
+little restraint, and consequently he rode where he
+pleased&mdash;sometimes in company with the scout,
+sometimes beside Captain Clinton, and then fell
+back to exchange a few ideas with Bob. He did
+not, however, waste much time with the scout.
+The latter was talkative enough until he learned
+that George held the same position that he did,
+and then he froze up at once.</p>
+
+<p>"You're a pretty-looking scout, <i>you</i> be!" he exclaimed,
+moving his eye over the boy's trim figure.
+"Do you reckon you could tell the trail of
+a Kiowa from the track of a coyote?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I reckon I could," answered George with
+a smile. "But you need not be jealous of me, for
+I shall not interfere with you in any way. I came
+to the post to hunt Greasers, and not to trail Indians."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you did, eh? So you're the chap that's
+goin' to show the boys the way acrost the Rio, be
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am," replied George.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, all I've got to say is, that them that
+follers you is fools. I thought mebbe you was
+agoin' to poke your nose into my business; and
+that is something I won't put up with from no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>body.
+If thar's anything I <i>do</i> understand, it's
+Indians."</p>
+
+<p>This was true, but it sometimes happens that luck
+is not on the side of those who know the most.
+The scout would have given anything he possessed
+if he had been fortunate enough to perform the exploit
+that George assisted in performing before
+two days more had passed over his head.</p>
+
+<p>Bob Owens did not fail to notice that there was
+not the least semblance of a trail to be seen anywhere.
+They had left it at the ruins of Mr.
+Wentworth's rancho, and he waited with no little
+impatience to see where they would pick it up
+again. He found out about sunset, for at that
+time the column reached the banks of a small
+water-course, and there they struck the trail, which
+was so broad and plain that it could be followed
+at a gallop. George, in company with some of the
+officers and the scout, spent a few minutes in looking
+it over, and then rode back to report the result
+of his observations to Bob Owens.</p>
+
+<p>"There are not many warriors in the party,"
+said he, "but they are so well supplied with horses
+that they can have a fresh mount every day if
+they want it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How do you know that?" asked Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I saw their tracks," replied George.</p>
+
+<p>"That's not explicit enough. I suppose you
+did see the tracks of the horses, and so did I; but
+how in the world is a fellow going to tell whether
+or not those horses had riders on their backs?
+<i>That's</i> something that can't be done."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be too sure of that. Look here! Would
+you believe it if I should tell you that those Indians
+passed along here after daylight on Thursday
+morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I wouldn't," replied Bob bluntly. He
+could not, for the life of him, understand how
+anybody could draw such conclusions as these by
+simply looking at the print of a pony's hoofs in
+the grass; and if he had not been so well acquainted
+with George he would have inclined to the belief
+that his friend was "spreading it on" in order
+to make himself out a wonderful trailer. "I can't
+make head or tail of this business, and I don't
+believe you can, either; that is, I mean I don't
+see how you can."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, listen while I explain," said George
+good-naturedly. "In the first place, I noticed,
+while we were passing through that belt of post-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>oaks
+back there, that some of the horses left a very
+devious trail, passing through thick bushes and under
+trees whose branches were so low that they would
+have swept a rider out of his saddle if he had not
+been on the alert to avoid them. Those horses were
+all loose."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not," exclaimed Bob. "The Indians
+might have passed through there when it was too
+dark to see where they were going."</p>
+
+<p>"I know they might, but they didn't, as I shall
+presently show you. The horses which made those
+crooked trails were not mustangs. They were
+American horses, and their presence proves another
+thing that I didn't think to speak of before; and
+that is, that the Indians raided other ranches besides
+Mr. Wentworth's. How do I know that they
+were American horses? Because their tracks were
+larger than a pony's, and some of them were shod.
+The tracks made by the mustangs led through the
+open part of the timber, where there were no bushes
+and low branches; and this is one proof that the Indians
+did not pass through there in the night-time.
+If they had, they could not have kept in such open
+ground. I found further proof that these mustangs
+were all mounted by noticing that they did not stop<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>
+to graze, as the loose horses did, being kept in constant
+motion by their riders. What do you think
+now?" asked George, seeing that Bob began to open
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"It reads like a book, don't it?" was Bob's reply.
+"But you have forgotten one very important thing.
+You said that the Indians passed through those post-oaks
+early on Thursday morning. How do you know
+that they didn't pass late on Thursday afternoon or
+early on Friday morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"You think you have got me there, don't you?
+Well, you haven't. If there are 'sermons in stones
+and books in running brooks,' as the poet tells us
+there are, what is the reason that the print of an Indian
+pony's hoof may not contain a page of information
+that will prove to be useful to him who has
+the skill to read it? On Wednesday night there was
+a very heavy dew, if you remember."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't remember," replied Bob; "I never pay
+any attention to such things."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must pay attention to such things, and
+a good deal of it too, if you are going to be a Plainsman.
+During the last two nights there has been no
+dew at all. I noticed that some blades of grass,
+which had been pressed down by the hoofs of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>
+horses and cattle, were covered with sand which
+stuck fast to them, having been dried on. This
+told me that the tracks were made while the grass
+was wet, and that the Indians had passed that way
+early on Thursday morning, or before the sun had
+risen high enough to dry off the dew. There were
+not more than fifteen or twenty of them. I didn't
+have time to see just how many, but they have
+stolen over a thousand head of steers and horses.
+Now, remember all I have told you, and see if I
+haven't made a pretty good guess."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think we shall catch them?" asked
+Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," answered George slowly, "raiding Indians
+<i>have</i> been overtaken and neatly whipped before
+now, but I have always believed that it was
+more by good luck than good management. These
+fellows will begin to show their tactics as soon as
+they find out that they are pursued. Then they
+will probably leave behind a few of the best mounted
+of the band to attract our attention and lead us
+away from the others, who will make all haste to
+take the prisoners and the stolon stock to a place
+of safety. If we bite at that bait, we shall lose
+everything, for as soon as the decoys have led us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>
+as far out of our way as they care to have us go,
+they will disappear all of a sudden, and we shall
+never see them again. If we keep on after the
+main body, and travel fast enough to gain on them,
+they will drop the stock in the desert, break up into
+squads of twos and threes, and we shall have nothing
+to do but to turn about and go home again."</p>
+
+<p>The Indians did manoeuvre pretty nearly as George
+said they would, but Captain Clinton and his scouting-party
+did not go back to the fort until they
+had accomplished something.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>HOW GEORGE SAVED THE CAMP.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The troopers went into camp about midnight,
+having been nineteen hours in the saddle,
+during which time they had marched more than
+seventy miles. They halted on the bank of a
+small stream near a ford over which the Indians
+had passed during their retreat. The trail was
+plain, and some of the troopers, who did not know
+quite as much about trailing as they thought they
+did, declared that they were close upon the heels
+of the raiders.</p>
+
+<p>"How is that, George?" asked Bob Owens, who
+had been detailed as one of the corporals of the
+guard. "Some of the boys say that if we should
+follow the Indians for an hour or two longer we
+would be within sight of their camp-fires."</p>
+
+<p>"What makes them think so?" asked George.</p>
+
+<p>"Because they have found tracks with the sand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>
+still running into them. Is that one of the signs
+by which to tell the age of a trail?"</p>
+
+<p>"Under some circumstances, yes; in the present
+case, no. You could tell the age of a trail in that
+way if the ground around it had not been disturbed.
+This country about here is all quicksand, and
+you can take your stand almost anywhere along the
+banks of this stream, and by jumping up and down
+shake the ground for ten feet on all sides of you.
+When our heavy column crossed the ford and
+climbed this bank, it shook the earth, and that
+was what set the sand to running down into the
+tracks."</p>
+
+<p>"I declare!" exclaimed Bob, gazing admiringly
+at his friend; "is there anything a trailer isn't
+obliged to know?"</p>
+
+<p>"If he wants to be an expert he must keep his
+eyes and ears wide open, and pay strict attention
+to little things which almost anybody else would
+consider to be beneath his notice. It is wonderful
+what proficiency a person who has a talent for such
+things can acquire by practice. For example, this
+scout of ours could learn more about a trail in two
+minutes than I could in an hour. But he is fearfully
+jealous," added George with a laugh, "and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>
+you ought to have seen how mad I made him while
+we were passing through that belt of post-oaks this
+afternoon. Seeing that Captain Clinton was waiting
+very impatiently for information, I volunteered
+the statement that the hostiles had passed that way
+early on Thursday morning, and that Mr. Wentworth
+was not the only one who had suffered at
+their hands. The captain asked Mose what he
+thought of that, and Mose replied, 'I think jest
+this here, cap: if that kid is agoin' to lead this
+yere party he had better say so, an' I will go back
+to the post. He's a'most too fresh, an' he'd better
+go back in the woods an' practise at holdin' his
+chin.' But he did not contradict my statement,
+and that was all the evidence I needed to prove
+that I was right in what I said. The tracks here
+on the bank are not as fresh as you suppose. If
+they were wet, it would be a sign that the Indians
+crossed the ford since three o'clock this
+afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"Why since three o'clock?" asked Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Because the sun went under a cloud at that
+hour, and hasn't showed himself since to dry off
+the water that the horses and cattle brought out
+of the stream on their feet and legs."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>While the two boys were talking in this way
+George was getting ready to go to bed. The camp
+was located at the foot of a perpendicular bluff
+which was perhaps twenty feet in height. On the
+top of this bluff the horses were picketed, and beyond
+them were the sentinels who were to look out
+for the safety of the animals and keep guard over
+their slumbering companions. Everything outside
+of the circle of light made by the camp-fires was
+concealed by the most intense darkness. Not even
+a star twinkled in the sky. George spread his
+blankets in a sheltered nook at the foot of the
+bluff and courted the "drowsy god" in vain.
+He was tired and his eyes were heavy, but he
+could not go to sleep. After rolling and tossing
+about for nearly two hours, he became too nervous
+to remain inactive any longer, so he slung his rifle
+on his back and climbed to the top of the bluff,
+where he found Bob Owens and two other non-commissioned
+officers sitting beside a fire and conversing
+in low tones. At another fire a short distance
+away sat Lieutenant Earle, the officer of the
+guard, nodding over his pipe.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo!" exclaimed Bob, "what brought you
+out here?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I want somebody to talk to," replied
+George, throwing himself on the ground by his
+friend's side, "Somehow, I can't sleep, and that's
+a new thing for me."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not afraid of the hostiles, are you?"
+asked a corporal from the other side of the fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, because I know that we have nothing to
+fear from them on such a night as this. If there
+were any hostiles in the neighborhood, they might
+slip up and steal a few horses, if they thought they
+could get away with their booty, but they wouldn't
+attack a party of the size of ours and bring on an
+open fight. It is too dark."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, that is just the reason they <i>would</i> attack
+us," exclaimed the corporal, who, although he had
+often been on a scout, had never participated in a
+battle. "They rely upon the darkness to cover
+their movements and to assist them in effecting a
+surprise. I have read it a hundred times."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes," replied George&mdash;"story-book Indians
+make attacks at all hours of the day and night, but
+live Plains Indians don't. The reason for it is
+this: They believe that they will go into the happy
+hunting-grounds with just the same surroundings
+that attend their departure from this world.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>
+If an Indian is crippled or blind or ill, he will be
+just the same Indian in the spirit-land. If he
+dies from the effects of disease, he will suffer from
+that disease for ever; but if he is killed in battle
+on a pleasant day, and while he is in the possession
+of all his strength and faculties, he will go straight
+to the Indian's heaven under the most favorable
+circumstances."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose he is killed on a rainy day?" said the
+corporal on the other side of the fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Or a snowy one?" chimed in a sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>"Then he is doomed to paddle through rain or
+snow through all eternity," replied George; "and
+that he doesn't like either is proved by the fact
+that he will not stir out of camp while it is raining
+or snowing if he can help it. If an Indian is hanged,
+like Captain Jack or those thirty-seven warriors
+who were executed at Mankato in 1863 for participation
+in the Sioux massacre, he loses all chance
+of ever seeing the happy hunting-grounds. So he
+does if he is scalped; and that's the reason Indians
+make such efforts to carry off the body of a fallen
+comrade. A Plains Indian never willingly goes
+into a fight during the night. If he did, he would
+make it much warmer for us here on the frontier<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>
+than he does now. He may make use of a night
+like this to get into position for an attack, but if
+left to himself he will not raise the war-whoop before
+daylight, because he believes that if he is killed
+during the dark he will be condemned to pass
+all eternity in darkness."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is something I never knew before,"
+said the corporal, "and I have been on the Plains
+a good many years. Now that I think of it&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Corporal of the guard, No. 7!" came the call
+through the dense darkness, whereupon Bob Owens
+jumped to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the trouble out there, I wonder?"
+said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Go and see," replied the sergeant with a sleepy
+yawn: "that's the only way to find out."</p>
+
+<p>"Sergeant," said the officer of the guard, "if
+those horses have had grass enough, have them
+brought in and tied to the stable-lines. Look well
+to their fastenings."</p>
+
+<p>"Corporal of the guard, No. 7!" came the call
+again; and this time it was uttered in a louder and
+more earnest tone.</p>
+
+<p>Bob, who was walking toward post No. 7 with
+a very deliberate step, now broke into a run, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>
+George jumped up and followed him. A fortunate
+thing it was for that camp and its inmates that he
+did so. His thorough acquaintance with the ways
+of some of the inhabitants of the Plains enabled
+him to prevent a catastrophe which would certainly
+have resulted in a serious loss of life, and brought
+Captain Clinton's scout to an inglorious end then
+and there. When he and the corporal reached post
+No. 7 they found the sentry on duty there lying
+flat on his stomach and gazing earnestly toward
+the horizon.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, Sprague?" demanded Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, I am sure," replied the sentry.
+"If the hostiles had made up their minds to pay
+us a visit, they wouldn't make such a racket as that,
+would they? There! don't you hear it? Something's
+coming this way, I tell you, and coming on
+a keen jump, too."</p>
+
+<p>The three held their breath and listened intently.
+A second later the breeze brought to their ears the
+sound that had attracted the attention of the sentry&mdash;a
+deep, rumbling sound, faint and far off, but increasing
+perceptibly in volume. It resembled the
+constant muttering of distant thunder, but they all
+knew it was not that. Bob's face brightened at once,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>
+but George's grew pale. The corporal did not know
+the danger that threatened them, but his companion
+did; he had heard something like it before. He
+had heard it on the night that Fletcher and his band
+of raiders stampeded his stock, and he had thrown
+himself into an old buffalo-wallow and allowed
+three hundred frantic cattle to gallop over his
+head.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it must be cavalry from Fort Tyler,"
+said Bob at length.&mdash;"But I'll tell you what's a
+fact, boys," he added, as a fresh gust of wind
+brought the sound more plainly to his ears: "there
+must be lots of them, for I never heard such a roar
+of hoofs before. They are coming this way, too.
+I hope they'll not run over us."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they <i>will</i> run over us," said George,
+speaking quickly but calmly, "unless you take
+immediate steps to prevent it. They are not
+cavalry; they are buffaloes."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! ah!" exclaimed Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" ejaculated the sentry, jumping to
+his feet.&mdash;"Don't tell the boys what I called you
+out for, will you, corporal? To tell the truth, I
+was just a little bit&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He finished the sentence by shrugging his shoul<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>ders,
+and Bob, who knew what he meant by that,
+was about to assure him that he would say nothing
+in the hearing of the "boys" that would enable
+them to "get the laugh" on him, when George
+Ackerman broke in with&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You had good reason to be alarmed, and this
+is not a matter to be dropped with an 'ah!' and an
+'oh!' and a 'humph!' You are in great danger,
+if you only knew it. Those buffaloes are stampeded,
+and will not stop until they are all out of
+breath."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if they don't want to stop, let them run,"
+said Bob. "Who cares? They don't owe us anything.
+They will of course turn aside when they
+see us."</p>
+
+<p>"But they will not see you unless you do something
+to attract their attention," exclaimed George
+impatiently. "They will be in among us in five
+minutes more, and men and horses will be trampled
+into the ground like blades of grass. Wake up and
+do something, can't you? The safety of the camp
+depends upon you, and if you don't move, I will."</p>
+
+<p>"Great Moses!" ejaculated Bob. He was thoroughly
+aroused by the earnest words of his companion,
+but having never been placed in a situation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>
+like this before, he did not know how to act. "You
+don't mean that&mdash;I never heard of&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do mean that they will trample the whole
+camp to death unless you prevent it; and I don't
+care whether you ever heard of such a thing being
+done or not," cried George, seizing the corporal by
+the arm and shaking him as if he wanted to put
+a little energy into him.</p>
+
+<p>"But what shall I do? Shall I order up the
+reserve and get the horses out of the way?"</p>
+
+<p>"You haven't got time to get them out of the
+way. The buffaloes will be upon us before you
+could take half a dozen of them to a place of safety.
+Arouse the camp the first thing, and then call
+up a few good men to go out and split the herd the
+moment it comes in sight."</p>
+
+<p>Bob, who was still in the dark, was about to ask
+how he should go to work to "split" the herd after
+he had selected the men, but George did not give
+him the opportunity. The rumbling of the approaching
+hoofs grew louder and louder, and every
+moment was precious. It sounded before them and
+to the right and left of them, indicating that the
+herd was an immense one, and that it was advancing
+with a front broad enough to overwhelm the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>
+entire camp. Knowing that no more time could
+be wasted in debating the matter, George unslung
+his Winchester and fired two shots into the air.
+The effect was almost magical. The camp, which
+had been so quiet a second before, was aroused into
+instant life and activity. Loud cries of "Indians!"
+and " Fall in!" arose on the still air, followed by
+blasts from the bugle and stern notes of command.
+The officer of the guard was promptly on the ground,
+and to him Bob reported that a herd of stampeded
+buffaloes was bearing down upon them. The announcement
+startled the lieutenant, but he acted with
+the greatest coolness. As fast as the men came up
+he ordered them back to take care of the horses&mdash;all
+except a dozen or so of the best soldiers known
+to him, whom he ordered to follow him. By the
+time he had taken up his position, which was on a
+little rise of ground about fifty yards from post No.
+7, Captain Clinton came up. Taking in at a glance
+the arrangements which his subordinate had made
+to avert the terrible danger that threatened the camp,
+he left him and his picked men to carry out those
+arrangements or perish in the attempt, while he
+hastened back to see that the horses were well
+secured.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Steady!" commanded Lieutenant Earle, speaking
+in his loudest tones, in order to make his voice
+heard above the roar of the threatening hoofs, which
+sounded like the noise made by an approaching
+hurricane. "We are here to conquer or die. If
+we don't split that herd they will trample us out
+of sight in the ground. We can do it if we are
+only cool enough to hold our position. Don't fire
+until I give the word, and then put in the shots
+as rapidly as you know how."</p>
+
+<p>Bob's hair fairly stood on end, and not even the
+calm bearing of George Ackerman, who was constantly
+by his side and who knew their danger better
+than he did, or the lieutenant's assurance that
+the herd could be split if they did their full duty,
+could relieve Bob's mind of the positive conviction
+that he and his comrades were doomed to certain
+and speedy death. But his courage never faltered,
+and to show that he did not intend to allow himself
+to be outdone in steadiness even by a shoulder-strap,
+he walked up and kneeling beside his officer
+(the men in the front rank were all kneeling, so
+that those in the rear rank could shoot over their
+heads) waited for the order to fire.</p>
+
+<p>Nearer came the terror-stricken buffaloes, louder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>
+grew the thunder of their hoofs, and, as if to add
+to the horror of the situation and to test the courage
+of the lieutenant and his devoted little band to
+the very utmost, the horses behind them began to
+grow unmanageable from fright and to struggle
+desperately to escape from their fastenings.</p>
+
+<p>At length, after a few moments of dreadful suspense,
+the time for action arrived. A rapidly-moving
+mass, which was plainly visible, owing to
+the fact that it was blacker than the darkness of
+the night, burst into view and bore down upon the
+camp and its little band of defenders. So loud
+was the noise made by their hoofs at this moment
+that the troopers did not hear the order to fire,
+which the lieutenant shouted out with all the power
+of his lungs; but they saw the flash of his revolver,
+and lost no time in opening a hot fire upon
+that portion of the herd which was directly in
+front of them. To Bob it seemed that the rapid
+discharges of their breech-loaders had no effect
+whatever. The black mass before him was as
+black and as dense, apparently, as it was when he
+first saw it, but, strange to say, instead of plunging
+upon him and his companions and trampling
+them out of all semblance to humanity, it seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>
+to remain stationary, although the deafening roar of
+those countless hoofs told him that the frantic herd
+had not in the least slackened its pace. In fact,
+his eyes and ears seemed to have suddenly become
+at "outs," for they did not endorse each other as
+they usually did. His eyes told him that his carbine
+was fired rapidly, for they showed him the
+flashes that followed the pulling of the trigger;
+but his ears took no note of the fact, for he could
+not hear the faintest report. The reason for this
+was, that the herd, having been split in two by the
+first volley, was moving by on each side of them
+with a roar and a rush that would have drowned
+the discharge of a section of artillery.</p>
+
+<p>How long the buffaloes were in passing Bob
+never knew, for he took no note of time. It was
+probably not more than two or three minutes, but
+during that brief period he passed through an ordeal
+that he never could think of afterward without
+feeling the cold chills creep all over him. But
+he did not flinch, and neither did his companions.
+When the last of the buffaloes passed to the right
+and left of them, and the lieutenant jumped up
+and stretched his arms and legs as if to assure
+himself that he had not been stepped on anywhere,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>
+he found that not one of his men had moved from
+his place. The front rank was still kneeling, the
+rear rank was standing, and they were both as well
+aligned as they were before the firing commenced.</p>
+
+<p>After ordering the front rank to rise, and bestowing
+upon them all a few hearty words of commendation,
+the lieutenant marched his men back to
+the camp, where they found some of their companions
+under arms, and the rest engaged in bringing
+in the horses and making them fast to the stable-lines.
+The animals were in such a state of alarm,
+and showed so strong a desire to run off with the
+retreating buffaloes, that Captain Clinton thought
+it advisable to put a strong guard over them for
+the rest of the night, with instructions to examine
+their fastenings every few minutes. When this
+guard had been detailed and the sentries had been
+changed, the rest of the troopers went back to
+their blankets.</p>
+
+<p>Bob and George were proud of the part they had
+acted in saving the camp from destruction, and consequently
+when they spread their blankets beside
+one of the fires they were somewhat provoked to
+hear the man who was piling fresh fuel upon it
+attribute their narrow escape to "luck." But still<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>
+there was nothing very surprising in this, for it not
+infrequently happens that a soldier stationed in one
+end of a camp does not know what is going on in
+the other end of it, especially in times of excitement.
+The same thing happens in a fight. A
+soldier may be able to give a clear statement of the
+part his company took in it, but he knows nothing
+of the general plan of the battle or of the number
+of the killed, wounded, captured or missing, until
+he has had time to talk the matter over with his
+comrades or to read a published account of it.
+During the war it was a common saying among
+the soldiers in the field that they never knew anything
+about the fights they had been in until they
+saw the papers.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been on the Plains nearly three years,"
+said the trooper who was punching up the fire, "and
+that was the first time I ever saw a herd of stampeded
+buffaloes."</p>
+
+<p>"I never saw one," said another trooper. "I
+heard this one, but my horse kept me so busy that
+I couldn't take time to look at it."</p>
+
+<p>"I had a fair view of it," said the one who had
+first spoken. "My horse was quiet enough after
+I got the bit between his teeth, so that I could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>
+manage him, and I stood up there by that farther
+fire and took it all in. I tell you, it was a sight!&mdash;a
+regular cataract of buffaloes a hundred feet wide,
+tumbling over a bank twenty feet high. I have
+always heard that when buffaloes become frightened
+and get to running they turn aside for nothing; but
+this night's experience gives the lie to all such
+stories, don't it? When they saw our camp they
+turned to the right and left, and crossed the stream
+above and below us, and never did us the least
+damage. Luck was on our side, wasn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Luck'!" repeated Bob in a tone of disgust;
+"I guess not. There were about a dozen men, of
+whom George Ackerman and I made two, who
+stood between you fellows and certain death. If
+we hadn't held our ground as if we had grown
+there, there wouldn't have been one of you left
+to tell the story of this night's work."</p>
+
+<p>The troopers lying about the fire were greatly
+astonished at these words, and called for an immediate
+explanation. Bob told the story in a few
+words, adding, as he directed the attention of his
+auditors to George Ackerman, who was lying at
+his ease on his blanket,</p>
+
+<p>"There's the fellow you have to thank for your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>
+'luck.' Sprague heard them coming, and so did
+I after he called me out to his post, but we didn't
+know what it was until Ackerman told us. He was
+the one who alarmed the camp. I know I did something
+toward splitting that herd, for I could see the
+fire come out of my carbine and my cartridge-box
+is empty, but I never heard a report. I didn't hear
+anything but the thunder of those hoofs, and I shall
+hear it to my dying day."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what started them?" said one of the
+troopers, after he and his companions had asked a
+few questions concerning the behavior of the various
+members of the squad. "Indians?"</p>
+
+<p>"Probably they did," answered a sergeant, who
+just then came up to the fire to light his pipe,
+being unable to go to sleep until he had taken a
+smoke to quiet his nerves.</p>
+
+<p>"Probably the Indians had nothing to do with
+it," said George. "Don't you know that a herd of
+buffaloes will feed within a mile or two of an Indian
+camp for days at a time, while half a dozen white
+men would scare them out of the country in less
+than an hour? Well, it's a fact."</p>
+
+<p>"What is the reason for it?" asked Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"The reason is to be found in the different modes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>
+of hunting them. The Indian, who depends largely
+upon them for food and clothing, kills no more
+of them during a run than the squaws can take care
+of. He hunts them almost altogether with the bow
+and arrow, which are not only very effective weapons
+at short range, but they make no noise to scare
+away the game. He hunts according to long-established
+rules, none but the best men in the tribe being
+permitted to take part in a run, and in this way the
+game is secured before the buffaloes get frightened
+enough to break into a stampede. The white man,
+who hunts principally for profit, keeps up the killing
+as long as he can hold the herd within range of
+his gun. He follows them persistently during the
+daytime, and at night lies in wait to shoot them as
+they come to the streams to quench their thirst. A
+buffalo is a very stupid animal, but, after all, it
+doesn't take him long to get some things through
+his head."</p>
+
+<p>"Fresh, purty <i>fresh</i>!" murmured a voice.</p>
+
+<p>George looked over his shoulders and saw the
+scout lying close by on his blanket. He had come
+up to the fire and arranged his bed without attracting
+the attention of any one.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think there is nobody in this party<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>
+who knows anything except yourself?" demanded
+George.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, no; judgin' by the way you sling your
+chin, you know it all," replied the scout.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you suppose first put this herd in
+motion?" asked one of the troopers, who had not
+yet gained all the information he wanted.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a question that nobody can answer unless
+he was on the ground and saw them start," answered
+George.&mdash;"You'll not dispute that, will you,
+Mose?&mdash;Our Texas cattle will often get stampeded
+by the sight of a little cloud of dust that is suddenly
+raised by the wind; or some night a careless
+herdsman may step between them and the fire and
+throw his shadow upon them; or some of the young
+and foolish members of a drove will fall to skylarking,
+and that will frighten the others, and the first
+thing you know they are all off like the wind.
+Buffaloes have just as little sense. My herdsman
+has told me that he has seen hundreds of them,
+when they were suffering for water, walk into a
+stream that was literally choked with the bodies
+of their companions who had been caught in the
+quicksand."</p>
+
+<p>"Say," growled a drowsy trooper from his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>
+blanket, "suppose you boys go somewhere and
+hire a hall?"</p>
+
+<p>George laughed, and, taking the hint thus delicately
+thrown out, brought his lecture on buffaloes
+to a close. The remembrance of the thrilling
+scene through which he had just passed did not
+keep him awake. On the contrary, sleep came to
+his eyes almost immediately, and the last sound he
+heard as he was about to pass into the land of
+dreams was the subdued voice of the scout murmuring,
+"Fresh, very fresh!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKES.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The camp was aroused at an early hour the
+next morning, and by the time it was fairly
+daylight breakfast had been disposed of and the
+column was again in motion. The firing-squad
+had brought down a goodly number of buffaloes
+in their efforts to split the herd&mdash;enough to furnish
+the whole camp with a hearty meal and to enable
+each trooper to carry two days' cooked rations in
+his haversack. During the first few miles of their
+march there was no trail for them to follow, all
+traces of the thieving Kiowas having been obliterated
+by the hoofs of the stampeded buffaloes; but
+this did not interfere with the movements of the
+scout, who, from the start, led the way at a rapid
+pace. He knew the general direction in which the
+trail led, and that was enough for him.</p>
+
+<p>"Where do you think we shall pick it up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>
+again?" asked Captain Clinton of George, who
+rode by his side.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you see that butte?" asked George in reply,
+directing the officer's attention to a single high
+peak in the distance, which marked the south-eastern
+boundary of the dreaded Staked Plains. "We
+shall not see another drop of water until we reach
+that mountain, and we shall find some traces of the
+Indians there, if we do not find them before."</p>
+
+<p>"Purty fresh!" exclaimed the scout, who had
+overheard every word of this conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you know better, why don't you say
+so?" demanded George. "Every prediction I have
+made so far has turned out to be correct. Now,
+see how far I miss it when I tell you that the Indians
+camped beside that butte last night."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we are gaining on them?" said the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"We are," was the boy's confident reply. "And
+for the reason that we have followed a direct course
+and ridden rapidly, while the Indians took a roundabout
+way and moved slowly, being hampered by
+their stolen cattle."</p>
+
+<p>George's calculations proved to be correct. About
+three o'clock in the afternoon they again took up the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>
+trail, and followed it at a gallop. They reached the
+peak just before dark, and found abundant evidence
+that the Indians had recently camped there. The
+troopers halted here too to get a little rest and a
+wink of sleep, but at nine o'clock they were once
+more on the move. The next halt was made about
+two in the morning, and at daylight they were again
+in their saddles and riding ahead as rapidly as ever.
+The trail led them along the borders of the Staked
+Plains, giving some of the troopers, who had never
+before scouted so far in this direction, their first view
+of that desolate region. A gloomy-looking place it
+was. As far as their eyes could reach they could
+see nothing but sandhills, with stunted weeds and
+clumps of grass which seemed to be struggling
+hard to maintain a foothold in the arid soil.</p>
+
+<p>They had marched perhaps ten miles from
+their last camp when George Ackerman, who was
+riding by Captain Clinton's side, discovered something.
+He looked at it for a moment, and then
+called the officer's attention to it.</p>
+
+<p>"They have begun their tricks at last," said he.
+"Do you see that dark streak out there in the grass?
+That's a new trail. There! Mose has discovered it,
+and is going out to see what it looks like."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Bringing the column to a halt, the captain, accompanied
+by George and some of the officers, rode
+forward to the place where the scout, who had got
+down from his horse, stood bending over the trail.
+After he had taken plenty of time in which to make
+his investigations, he straightened up to announce
+the result.</p>
+
+<p>"Four of them varmints has gone this way, cap,"
+said he. "They've left a plain trail, on purpose to
+coax you to foller 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"They shall be gratified," answered the captain
+promptly. "As my party is larger than theirs, I
+can stand more divisions than they can. I would
+as soon whip them in detail as to whip them in a
+lump.&mdash;Earle, take a dozen men from your troop
+and follow it up."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir," replied the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you brought your signal-code with you?
+All right! If you discover anything startling, send
+a courier to me with the fullest details. I will follow
+along after the main body. Be cautious, but
+at the same time keep moving, for we ought to be
+within striking distance of those rascals in a few
+hours more."</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant saluted and rode back to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>
+column, drawing his sword as he went. Dropping
+the weapon behind the third column of fours, he
+gave the order. "The first three fours, right by
+twos&mdash;march! Column left&mdash;march!"</p>
+
+<p>This brought the selected twelve alongside the
+new trail, which they at once began to follow up
+at a gallop, waving their caps to their comrades as
+they rode away. By selecting his men in this way
+the lieutenant did not happen to take Bob Owens,
+who rode farther back in the column. The young
+soldier, who was not in the habit of being slighted
+when there was anything of this kind going on, was
+both surprised and provoked at his officer; but he
+afterward thanked him for choosing his men as he
+did, and congratulated himself on having been left
+behind. Mr. Wentworth gazed longingly after the
+lieutenant, and sometimes seemed on the point of
+riding in pursuit of him; but he finally made up
+his mind to stay with the main column.</p>
+
+<p>The troopers presently resumed the march, keeping
+up the same rapid pace as before, and in a few
+minutes lost sight of Lieutenant Earle and his party,
+who disappeared among the sandhills. The latter
+must have ridden very swiftly, for shortly after
+noon they were a long distance from the main<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>
+body, their position being pointed out by a slender
+column of white smoke that suddenly arose in the
+air.</p>
+
+<p>"That's them varmints, cap," said the scout,
+whose eye was quick to detect the signal. "They're
+talkin' to each other."</p>
+
+<p>"I know there is somebody where that smoke
+comes from, but I am not sure that they are hostiles,"
+replied Captain Clinton. "On the contrary,
+I am of the opinion that the men who built that
+fire want to talk to <i>me</i>. At any rate, I shall soon
+know."</p>
+
+<p>As the captain said this he pulled his watch from
+his pocket with one hand, and with the other produced
+a note-book, which he held ready for reference.
+The column was not halted, but the eye of
+every man in it was fastened upon the distant smoke.
+When it had ascended to such a height that its top
+seemed lost in the clouds, it was suddenly cut loose
+from the ground by some mysterious agency, and
+floated off into space. A few seconds passed, and
+then two balloon-shaped clouds arose in quick succession
+from the same spot, and George took note
+of the fact that when the last one arose the captain
+looked at his watch. Another short interval elapsed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>
+and then two more clouds arose, and finally two
+more; whereupon the captain gave his knee a ringing
+slap and consulted his note-book.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew I couldn't be mistaken," said he.
+"That's from Earle, and he is about to communicate
+with me by courier.&mdash;Push ahead now, scout,
+for he is on a hot trail. Hallo! have you found
+another?" he added as the scout, instead of obeying
+the order to "push ahead," suddenly drew up
+his horse and threw himself from his saddle.
+"How many have gone off this time?"</p>
+
+<p>"The same number," answered the scout, "an'
+they were goin' somewhar too, for their ponies
+were movin' at full jump when they turned off
+here. They're up to some trick or another, but I
+can't tell yet what it is."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we must find out, for it is our business
+to look into these little things. I should like to
+know where this trail leads to, and I want&mdash;Let
+me see."</p>
+
+<p>The captain turned about and ran his eye over
+the column, which came to a halt as soon as the
+commanding officer was seen to stop his horse. He
+seemed to be in a quandary, out of which he was
+helped almost immediately by the sight of a sol<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>dierly
+figure upon which his gaze rested for a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>"He's the man I want," said the captain aloud.&mdash;"Ackerman,
+will you tell Lieutenant Smith, who
+is now in command of Earle's troop, that I want
+to see Corporal Owens?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, sir. May I go with him?" replied
+George, who knew in a moment that there was
+something in the wind.</p>
+
+<p>The captain nodded assent, and George galloped
+back to the column. When he returned Bob
+Owens rode at his side. The captain was writing&mdash;copying
+something upon a piece of paper
+from his note-book&mdash;but he stopped long enough
+to return Bob's salute, although he did not say anything
+to him. Seeing that the officer's horse was
+growing restive at the delay, and that by his constant
+pawing and tossing of his head he disturbed
+his rider, who did his writing while seated in the
+saddle, Bob dismounted and took the animal by
+the bridle, and the troopers who remained in column
+seized the opportunity to fill and light their
+pipes.</p>
+
+<p>"There!" said the captain at length.&mdash;"Step up
+here, corporal, and I will explain this to you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>&mdash;Ackerman,
+tell Lieutenant Smith to pick out
+twelve good men to follow this new trail."</p>
+
+<p>By the time the lieutenant had received and
+obeyed this order, Captain Clinton, who was a fast
+talker, had told the corporal just what he wanted
+him to do, and explained to him the contents of
+the paper he had copied from his note-book; and
+Bob, who was quick to comprehend, had caught and
+weighed all his words as fast as they were uttered.
+He then put himself at the head of his men and
+led them away, George Ackerman riding by his
+side.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we are off for another lark," exclaimed
+Carey as soon as he and his companions had
+left the column out of hearing. By some chance,
+he and Loring and Phillips had been selected to
+accompany Bob on every one of his expeditions,
+and as they had never failed to accomplish the
+object for which they were sent out, they began to
+think that there was nothing too hard for them to
+undertake.</p>
+
+<p>"But this may not be so much of a 'lark' as
+you think," said Bob; and Carey afterward recalled
+the words when he found himself debarred
+from accompanying other scouting-parties on ac<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>count
+of a painful wound in his sword-arm. "We
+are not out after deserters now, but Indians."</p>
+
+<p>"What are you going to do with them if you
+find them?" asked Loring.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall make things as lively for them as I
+can," replied Bob. "But I don't think I shall
+come up with them; and the captain doesn't expect
+me to. He is going to follow every trail and force
+the Indians to go back to their agency, whether
+they want to go or not; that is, unless we can
+overhaul them before they get there."</p>
+
+<p>"I <i>know</i> we are not out on a 'lark,'" said
+George Ackerman. "What would you say if we
+had to go into camp to-night without water?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious!" exclaimed Phillips, looking around
+at the sandhills, which now shut them in on all
+sides. "The prospect of finding a stream or a
+spring is not very flattering, is it? I wish we
+could find one now, for the water in my canteen
+is just ready to boil."</p>
+
+<p>"You had better be careful of it," said George,
+"for it is much better than none at all."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any water to be found in this country?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes; and this trail will take us to it by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>
+shortest route. An Indian can't live without water
+any more than we can, and he knows just where
+to find it."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, George," exclaimed Bob suddenly, "didn't
+I hear Mose say that when the four horses that made
+this trail turned off the <i>big</i> trail, they were going at
+full speed?"</p>
+
+<p>George replied that he did say so.</p>
+
+<p>"How did he know it?" continued Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"By the looks of the tracks and the distance between
+them. When a horse is walking his hind foot
+covers about half the print made by his fore foot,
+and the tracks are from two and a half to three feet
+apart. When the horse is trotting the tracks are not
+so distinct, the one made by the fore foot being nearly
+covered up, and they are from seven to eight feet
+apart. When he is running the print of only one
+foot can be seen, as a general thing the ground about
+the tracks is considerably disturbed, and they are
+from seven to twelve feet apart."</p>
+
+<p>If Carey and the rest of the squad did not learn
+to their entire satisfaction that they were not out on
+a picnic this time, the horses on which they were
+mounted certainly did, for before an hour had passed
+they were very much in need of water&mdash;so much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>
+so that Bob brought them down to a trot, and at last
+to a walk. At the end of another hour their riders
+began to suffer in the same way, and it was not long
+before every drop in their canteens, warm as it was,
+had disappeared. Whether it was the parched appearance
+of things around them; or the effects of
+the wind, which came into their faces as hot as a
+blast from a furnace; or the reflection of the sun's
+rays from the sandhills around them; or the sand
+itself, which arose in the air when disturbed by their
+horses' hoofs, and settled in their mouths and nostrils,&mdash;whether
+it was one or all of these causes combined
+that made them so very thirsty they did not
+think to inquire, but certain it was that they would
+have welcomed the discovery of a water-course more
+heartily now than at any other time during their
+march. Just how long this state of affairs was to
+continue they did not know, for there was not one
+among them who could tell whether water was five
+or twenty miles off. The only thing they could do
+was to follow the trail and await the issue of events
+with all the patience they could command.</p>
+
+<p>After they had been separated from the main
+column for about three hours, two incidents happened
+which served to relieve the monotony of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>
+march, and caused them, for the time being, to forget
+how uncomfortably hot and dusty and thirsty
+they were. As they were riding silently along behind
+George Ackerman, whose fast-walking nag had
+carried him some distance in advance of the squad,
+they saw him draw rein all of a sudden and raise
+his hand with a warning gesture. Then he backed
+his horse under cover of a convenient sandhill, and
+pulling his field-glass from the case he carried slung
+over his shoulder, he levelled it at some object that
+had attracted his attention, but which could not be
+seen by the troopers.</p>
+
+<p>Bob at once ordered a halt, and rode forward to
+inquire into the matter. When he reached George's
+side he found himself on the outskirts of a sort of
+basin in the plain, which looked as though it might
+have been scooped out by the wind. It was covered
+with sand, and dotted here and there with little
+bunches of yellow grass and weeds. On the opposite
+side of this basin, which was perhaps a mile and
+a half wide, was a single horseman, who was riding
+toward them at a rapid pace.</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't make out, at that distance, whether
+he was a friend or foe, so I thought it best to warn
+you," said George.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That was all right, of course. Can you make
+him out with your glass?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very plainly. He's a soldier&mdash;one of Lieutenant
+Earle's men, probably."</p>
+
+<p>"That's just who he is," exclaimed Bob after he
+had taken a look at the horseman through the field-glass.
+"I know him. That signal-smoke we saw
+just before we left the column was sent up to inform
+the captain that Earle had despatched a courier
+to him with some important news, and now we will
+find out what it is.&mdash;Come on, fellows," he added,
+waving his hand to the squad; "it is one of our
+own company, boys."</p>
+
+<p>Bob and his companion rode out in plain view,
+and a few seconds later the troopers joined them.
+Their sudden appearance must have astonished the
+approaching courier, and perhaps alarmed him too,
+for he pulled up his horse with a jerk, and, shading
+his eyes with his hand, gazed at them long and
+earnestly. They waved their caps to reassure him,
+and in a few minutes he came up. The first words
+he uttered showed that he had already had quite
+enough of scouting in the Staked Plains.</p>
+
+<p>"Did anybody ever see so dreary a hole as
+this?" said he as he lifted his cap and drew his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>
+handkerchief across his forehead&mdash;"nothing but
+sandhills as far as you can see, and one looks so
+much like another that a fellow don't know how
+to shape a course. It must be just fearful in here
+when the wind blows.&mdash;I say, corporal, where am
+I? and what are you doing out here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't answer your first question, for I don't
+know myself," answered Bob. "I was sent out
+to follow a new trail we found just after you sent
+up that smoke. What was the meaning of it?&mdash;Carey,
+climb up to the top of that sandhill and
+tell us if you can see anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Earle sent up that smoke to let the
+captain know that he was about to send him some
+news," replied the horseman; "and I don't see
+why the captain didn't send up a reply, for I don't
+know where to find him."</p>
+
+<p>"I will point out his position as near as I can
+before you leave us," said Bob. "Is that news of
+any importance?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should say it was," exclaimed the courier.
+"We've struck it hot, I tell you. On the banks
+of a little stream we found somewhere off in that
+direction&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Aleck!" exclaimed Loring; "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>
+thought that canteen of yours looked as though
+it had been dipped in water not so <i>very</i> long ago.
+Why don't you pass it around? We haven't got
+a drop left."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that so?" said the courier, who promptly
+unslung his canteen. "You are welcome to it, but
+touch it easy, so that everybody can have a taste,
+and don't forget to save some for Carey.&mdash;As I
+was saying, on the banks of that stream the scout
+discovered the tracks of little boots."</p>
+
+<p>The troopers all uttered exclamations when they
+heard this, and Loring was so anxious to hear more
+that he forgot he was thirsty, and after holding the
+canteen in his hand for a moment passed it to a
+comrade without tasting of its contents.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Wentworth acted as though he thought
+he ought to go with Lieutenant Earle's squad, and
+when he hears that he will be sorry that he stayed
+behind," observed Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't he, though!" said the courier.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose there is no doubt that the tracks
+were made by his boys?" said George.</p>
+
+<p>"None whatever. How could there be? The
+Indians have no other prisoners with them."</p>
+
+<p>"They have none that we know of," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>
+George. "But as they visited other ranches, they
+may have taken other boys captive."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know that they did visit other
+ranches?" demanded the courier. "Mr. Wentworth
+didn't say anything about it in my hearing."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor in mine, either," replied George. "But
+he did say in my hearing that he had lost not more
+than half a dozen horses, and the trail shows that
+they have more than fifty with them."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the courier, looking down at the
+horn of his saddle in a brown study, "if that's the
+case, the Indians may have&mdash;No, they didn't,
+either," he added, brightening. "Mr. Wentworth
+told the colonel, in Lieutenant Earle's hearing, that
+the Indians jumped down on his ranche just after
+he had finished mending his oldest boy's boots.
+He put a patch on each one of them just under
+the ball of the foot, and those patches showed in
+the tracks."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" exclaimed George, "that will pass for
+evidence."</p>
+
+<p>"At any rate," continued the courier, "I was
+ordered to tell the captain that we were on the
+trail of the party who had the children. That's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>
+all the news I have, I believe.&mdash;What shall I tell
+the captain for you, corporal?"</p>
+
+<p>"Say to him that you found me following up
+my trail as fast as the condition of my horses
+would permit," answered Bob. "It is as plain as
+daylight, and if I could only get some water now
+and then, I could follow it at a gallop.&mdash;What is
+it, Carey?"</p>
+
+<p>"A smoke away off to the south-east," replied
+the soldier, who was lying flat on the top of the
+nearest sandhill.</p>
+
+<p>Bob at once dismounted and made his way up
+the hill, followed by George and the courier. They
+did not expose their full height to view, but crept
+up on their hands and knees, and when they reached
+the top pulled off their caps before they looked
+over it. They knew that Indians, when they are
+retreating, always leave some of their number to
+watch the trail, and they adopted these precautions
+in order to avoid discovery by these rear-guards
+should there chance to be any in the neighborhood.
+The reflection of the sun's rays from the brass ornaments
+on their caps would have been seen by a
+watchful Indian at an almost incredible distance.</p>
+
+<p>"I see the smoke," said Bob, pulling from his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>
+pocket the paper which Captain Clinton had given
+him&mdash;"Where is your watch, George? Now look
+for the signal."</p>
+
+<p>The smoke, like the one Lieutenant Earle had
+sent up a few hours before, ascended in a straight,
+slender column for a few seconds, and then floated
+away out of sight. A few seconds later three little
+columns, shaped like the clouds which are thrown
+out by the discharge of a cannon, arose in the air
+in quick succession, followed after a little delay by
+three others. Bob waited and watched, but as no
+more clouds appeared, he knew that the signal had
+been made. The next thing was to find out what
+it meant.</p>
+
+<p>"George," said he, "after those first three smokes
+appeared how long was it before the others were
+seen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just thirty seconds," replied the time-keeper.</p>
+
+<p>Bob ran his eye over the paper he held in his
+hand, and presently found the following, which he
+read aloud: "Three smokes, followed at the interval
+of half a minute by three others, are intended
+to point out the position of the signalling-party."&mdash;"There
+you are!" said he, turning to the courier.
+"Fix in your mind the place from which that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>
+smoke arose, and then travel a little to the north
+of it, so as to allow for the captain's progress, and
+you will find him."</p>
+
+<p>"How far away was that smoke?" asked the
+courier as he and his companions crept back down
+the hill.</p>
+
+<p>"Fifteen miles," replied George.</p>
+
+<p>"Whew! Well, I'll get there if I can. Who's
+got my canteen? Why, you have left some in it!"
+he added as one of the squad handed him the article
+in question. "Don't any of you want another
+taste?"</p>
+
+<p>Yes, there were plenty there who could have
+drained the canteen to the last drop and then called
+for more, but knowing that the courier would
+have need of it before he had galloped fifteen miles
+under that broiling sun with the hot wind blowing
+upon him, they all declared that they had had
+enough.</p>
+
+<p>After Carey and Loring had moistened their
+parched lips the courier sprang upon his horse
+and waved his farewell, while Bob and his men,
+feeling somewhat refreshed, took up the trail again
+and followed it at a trot.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>ANOTHER FEATHER FOR BOB'S CAP.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The second diversion of which we have spoken
+occurred about an hour after Lieutenant Earle's
+courier left them. It was nothing more nor less
+than the discovery of the fact that the party of
+whom they were in pursuit had been joined by
+another warrior, whose pony's tracks came from
+the direction in which the lieutenant was supposed
+to be scouting. Bob and his men did not seem to
+attach much importance to this, but George did. He
+looked the ground over very carefully, and reached
+conclusions that astonished himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Bob Owens," said he in a low tone as they resumed
+the march, "you've got another chance to put
+a feather in your hat&mdash;a big one, too. Lieutenant
+Earle will never rescue Mr. Wentworth's boys, but
+you can if you're smart."</p>
+
+<p>Bob, who always listened in the greatest amazement
+(and with some incredulity, too, it must be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>
+confessed) to his friend's predictions, could only
+look the surprise he felt. How any one, by
+simply looking at a pony's track, could tell what
+a party of men whom he had never seen were going
+to do, he could not understand.</p>
+
+<p>"To begin with," continued George, "our Indians
+expected to have an addition made to their
+party, and they expected also that it would be made
+just where it <i>was</i> made. How do I know that?
+By the looks of things. The ponies were all huddled
+together in one place, and they must have stood
+there a good while, judging by the stamping they
+did. Their riders must have dismounted there, for
+I saw the prints of their moccasins in the sand. I
+noticed also that the side of the nearest sandhill had
+been disturbed, and that told me that one of their
+number had climbed up there to watch for the expected
+warrior."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he was watching for us," suggested
+Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"If he was, he wouldn't have watched for us
+with his feet, would he?" demanded George.</p>
+
+<p>"'With his feet'?" echoed Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He would have been more likely to
+watch for us with his eyes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How do you know that he didn't?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because he climbed up on our side of the hill,
+and that would have exposed his whole body to our
+view if we had been anywhere within sight of him.
+His eyes were turned the other way; that is, in
+Lieutenant Earle's direction. He wasn't afraid of
+being seen by us, but he took all due precautions to
+conceal himself from the gaze of any one who might
+happen to come that way from Lieutenant Earle's
+command; for near the place where the ponies were
+standing I saw the tufts of grass he had pulled up
+to tie around his head."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am beat!" exclaimed Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"What beats you?"</p>
+
+<p>"You do: I didn't see any of those things."</p>
+
+<p>"Probably you didn't, for the reason that you
+didn't look for them. You see, I have passed a
+good many years on the Plains, and I have learned
+that eternal vigilance is the price of a cowboy's life
+and liberty. When his scalp depends upon the correct
+reading of such signs as those which I have
+just described to you, he is not often caught napping.
+My long association with Zeke, whose eyes
+seemed to be everywhere, has got me into the habit
+of keeping my own eyes open. Probably there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>
+were other things there that would have been
+perfectly plain to Zeke or Mountain Mose which
+I didn't see.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, of course I don't <i>know</i> that this new
+warrior brought Mr. Wentworth's children with
+him when he came over to join our Indians, but
+everything seems to point that way. One of the
+proofs&mdash;and the strongest, in my humble opinion&mdash;is
+found in the fact that the Indians allowed their
+captives to dismount on the banks of that stream
+the courier told us of. I am inclined to believe that
+they went farther than that, and compelled the boys
+to walk in the mud and leave their tracks there."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see why they did that," observed Bob.
+"I should think they would want to keep everybody
+from knowing where the boys were."</p>
+
+<p>"So they would if they had intended to keep the
+boys with them, but they did not. This is their
+plan, as near as I can get at it; and in order to
+make my explanation clearer I will call the party
+of which Lieutenant Earle is in pursuit No. 1,
+that which we want to find No. 2, and that the
+captain is following up No. 3. The warriors in
+No. 1 are doubtless the best mounted of all the
+raiders. When they separated from the main<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>
+body they left a broad trail, so that they could be
+easily followed, taking the children with them, and
+leaving now and then a sign of their presence, for
+no other purpose than to coax the captain to follow
+them with his whole force. As soon as they reached
+a piece of rocky ground, where a pony's feet
+would leave no track, one of their number picked
+up the boys and brought them over here, where
+party No. 2 was waiting for him. Those he left
+behind will show themselves to Lieutenant Earle
+occasionally, and perhaps open a little fight with
+him, just to induce him to continue the pursuit.
+Party No. 3 will drive the stock ahead as fast as
+possible, and get away with it if they can; but if
+they find that they are likely to be overtaken, they
+will drop the cattle and do everything they can to
+keep the captain on their trail, so as to give party
+No. 2 a chance to escape with the prisoners. Now,
+that's a long story, and no doubt it is a hard one to
+believe; but I don't think I am far from right when
+I tell you that it is quite in your power to carry off
+the honors of this expedition. Captain Clinton will
+have his hands full until he recovers that stock; so
+will Lieutenant Earle as long as he follows those
+will-o'-the-wisps in front of him; and to you will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>
+be left the duty, as well as the privilege, of looking
+out for the safety of Mr. Wentworth's little
+boys."</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" panted Bob, who was very much impressed,
+although not wholly convinced, by his companion's
+clear and forcible reasoning. "Then I am
+the chief man in this scout, am I? Suppose&mdash;I
+say, just <i>suppose</i>&mdash;I should be lucky enough to
+rescue those boys alive and unharmed, what would
+the fellows say? What would Mr. Wentworth
+say?"</p>
+
+<p>"The boys would cheer you, and you would
+win Mr. Wentworth's everlasting gratitude," replied
+George. "But, Bob, the prisoners have not
+been rescued yet, and I warn you that unless you
+are as sly as a fox you will be the means of their
+death. If the Indians discover you, and find themselves
+unable to escape, their very first act will be
+to kill those boys."</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious!" exclaimed Bob, dropping his
+reins upon the horn of his saddle and pulling off
+his cap with one hand while he scratched his head
+vigorously with the other. "<i>Good</i> gracious! The
+captain never thought of that when he sent me
+off with this squad, did he? George, the responsi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>bility
+is too heavy for me. I think I'll ask the
+captain where he is, and then go and report to
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"That wouldn't be a very smart trick," protested
+George. "You would not only be taken to task
+for wasting valuable time, but the Indians, seeing
+a smoke that they couldn't understand arise on
+their trail, would take the alarm at once, and you
+would lose a fine chance of distinguishing yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you suppose they saw the smoke that
+Lieutenant Earle sent up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course they did&mdash;the captain's too. Those
+same smokes were a good thing for us, for I am of
+the opinion that they threw our party off their
+guard by leading them to believe they are not pursued.
+You mustn't send up a smoke along this
+trail if you want to catch those Indians. What
+are your orders, anyhow?"</p>
+
+<p>"To follow the trail until I am recalled or until
+the Indians throw me off entirely," replied
+Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Then don't you see that you would be disobeying
+orders by marching your squad back to the
+column without a recall?" asked George. "You<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>
+would surely get yourself into trouble by doing
+that, and besides, you would be hauled over the
+coals for not taking better care of your men and
+horses. They couldn't stand twenty miles more
+to-night without a rest, and how much of a rest
+could they get here in this oven, with no grass
+or water? Don't do it, Bob."</p>
+
+<p>"But the prisoners&mdash;just think of the prisoners!"
+exclaimed the perplexed corporal. "I don't
+want to feel that I am responsible for any harm
+that may befall them."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how you are going to shirk it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, will you take command?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not," answered George quickly.
+"Don't confess your incapacity by surrendering
+your authority. Besides, a scout never commands&mdash;he
+only advises; and I will help you in
+that way all I can. Go on, and say that you will
+do your best."</p>
+
+<p>"I will," said Bob, slamming his cap upon his
+head and seating himself firmly in his saddle.
+"If we can only place ourselves in a position to
+cover those boys, the Indians will not have a
+chance to touch them, I'll bet you. My men are
+all good marksmen."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And I am a tolerable one myself," said George.
+"A single hair of those boys' heads is worth the
+lives of all the Indians that ever saw the Staked
+Plains, and if it becomes necessary to shoot in their
+defence, I am ready. There is a high sandhill, and
+if you will stop here for a few minutes I will go
+up and see if I can discover anything."</p>
+
+<p>Bob raised his hand to halt the squad, and
+George swung himself out of his saddle. His
+first care was to lay aside his cap and rifle, and his
+next to pull up a quantity of grass and weeds to
+be used as a screen. With these in one hand
+and his field-glass in the other he crept slowly to
+the top of the sandhill, and, holding the screen a
+few inches above the ground, he pushed his field-glass
+under it and looked around.</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" was his mental exclamation, "I shall
+have good news to carry back to the boys. There's
+a deep gully about five miles off, and there must be
+a stream of water running through it, or else those
+willows would not be growing there. I wish we
+had got here an hour earlier, for then I should have
+had daylight to aid me in making my observations.
+The Indians probably halted in that gully
+a few hours ago, and the question to be decided<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>
+now is&mdash;Hallo! If that isn't smoke rising
+among those trees, what is it? And didn't that
+little cluster of bushes over there on the top of
+that hill shift its position just now?"</p>
+
+<p>George's heart beat wildly as he propounded these
+inquiries to himself. He took another long look,
+and then with a very slow and gradual motion he
+deposited his screen upon the sand and backed
+down to the plain. His stealthy movements told
+the troopers that he had seen something.</p>
+
+<p>"Corporal," said he as they rode up to him,
+"before you ask any questions let me suggest that
+you order your men to remove their sabres as
+quietly as possibly."</p>
+
+<p>Bob quickly unhooked his own sabre from his
+belt, and looked at his men, who made all haste to
+follow his example. They knew that there could
+be but one reason for this order. A steel scabbard
+hanging by the side of a careless rider will strike
+against his spurs with every step his horse takes,
+or rattle against his leg as the trooper walks about,
+giving out a clear ringing sound that will betray
+his presence to foes far less watchful and sharp-eared
+than Indians.</p>
+
+<p>"So we have run them into their holes, have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>
+we?" said Bob when he had acted upon George's
+suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>"That remains to be seen. They are camped
+about five miles from here, and one of their lookouts
+is watching the trail."</p>
+
+<p>The troopers looked at Bob as if to ask what he
+was going to do about it, and Bob, who had as little
+idea of the orders he ought to give under the circumstances
+as he had of the Greek language, looked
+at George. The latter did not say anything, for he
+wanted the troopers to hold fast to their belief that
+the corporal was able to act for himself in any and
+every emergency; but he gave his friend a look
+that was plainly understood.</p>
+
+<p>"Dismount," commanded Bob; "we'll rest here
+until we can determine upon something. Let every
+man keep fast hold of his horse, for a neigh from
+one of them would make dough of our cake in a
+little less than no time. Eat and whisper as much
+as you please, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't smoke," put in George.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Moses!" ejaculated the troopers in subdued
+tones.</p>
+
+<p>"An Indian will smell smoke from a pipe or a
+camp-fire a long distance," added George.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then keep your pipes in your pockets, where
+they can't do any mischief," said Bob.&mdash;"George,
+I'd like to take a look at that camp."</p>
+
+<p>George at once led the way up the hill, but when
+he neared the top he said in a whisper,</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you had better trust to my eyes instead
+of your own; not but that you can see as far as I
+can, but you might be a little careless in handling
+that screen, and the least false motion on your part
+would be seen by that lookout, whose eyes are as
+good as a telescope."</p>
+
+<p>"All right!" replied Bob, who wondered what
+he should have done if George had not been there
+to advise him. "What shall we do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let me take another look, and then I will talk
+to you."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, George crept back to the top of the
+hill and looked under his screen as before. It was
+rapidly growing dark, but he could see that the
+sentry still kept his position, and that the camp-fire
+was burning brightly.</p>
+
+<p>"They do not stand in the least fear of pursuit,"
+said he as he backed down to Bob's side, "but they
+have taken measures to prevent surprise, as they
+always do when they are on the war-path."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How long do you suppose that sentry will stay
+there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just as long as his friends stay in the gully.
+I do not mean by that that this particular Indian
+will act as lookout all the time, but that some
+member of the party will be constantly on the
+watch."</p>
+
+<p>The first thing to be done was to decide upon
+a plan of operations, and this took a good deal of
+hard thinking, for there was a good deal depending
+upon it. George made the most of the suggestions,
+and Bob accepted every one of them without
+argument. The camp was to be attacked as soon as
+they could get within reach of it: both were agreed
+upon that. Bob advised a surround, in order to
+prevent the escape of any of the Indians; but
+George objected, urging as a reason for his objections
+that no one but an Indian could work his
+way through those thick bushes and trees without
+making a good deal of noise, and that would knock
+the whole thing in the head.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be too ambitious," said he. "Don't try
+to grab too big a handful, and so run the risk of
+losing everything. Keep your men near you, so
+that you can have an eye on every one of them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>
+Look out for the boys; and if by so doing you
+give the Indians a chance to escape, as you will
+most likely, let them go and welcome."</p>
+
+<p>An immediate advance having been resolved
+upon, and the part that each man was to play
+in the coming fight (provided the Indians decided
+to make a fight of it) having been thoroughly discussed,
+Bob and his companion returned to the
+place where they had left the troopers. The former
+issued his orders in a few brief words, and in a very
+short space of time eight barefooted men, armed only
+with their carbines and revolvers, were drawn up in
+line ready to do his further bidding; while the four
+troopers who were to be left behind to hold the horses
+and to take care of the sabres, shoes and stockings
+which their lucky comrades had thrown upon the
+ground, listened with as good grace as they could
+to a few parting words from their corporal.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, boys," said the latter, "keep quiet and
+don't smoke. We have been following the trail of
+only five Indians, but we don't know how many may
+have joined them since they went into camp; so you
+must hold yourselves in readiness for any emergency.
+Keep a good lookout for the signal, and if you
+don't see it by the time the moon rises, which will be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>
+about midnight, take care of yourselves. Draw as
+straight a course for the column as you can, and tell
+the boys, when you find them, that the reds got the
+best of us while we were trying to do our duty. Good-bye.&mdash;Lead
+on, George."</p>
+
+<p>Although our hero had passed his life amid scenes
+of danger, and more than once listened to the sound
+of hostile bullets (that was during the "neighborhood
+row" of which we have spoken in the first
+volume of this series), he had never before taken
+part in a scout after Indians, and it may be readily
+imagined that Bob's parting words did not serve to
+encourage him in any great degree. Bob seemed to
+think that there was a possibility that their attempted
+surprise might end in utter defeat. The bare
+thought was enough to make George's hair stand
+on end, but it did not make him lose any of the
+sympathy he felt for the boy-captives or falter in
+his resolve to do all he could toward effecting their
+release. In obedience to Bob's order to "lead on"
+he raised his rifle to his shoulder and glided off into
+the darkness, the troopers following in single file.
+Before he had marched half a mile Bob hurried up
+and placed himself by his side.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, George," he whispered, "you are not going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>
+toward the camp. If you follow this course, you
+will miss it by half a mile or more."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to go toward the camp," was the
+reply. "We must circle around so as to come up
+in the rear of that sentry, who, as I told you, will
+stay on the top of that hill as long as his friends
+stay in the gully."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think we can capture him without
+alarming the others?"</p>
+
+<p>"We are not going to try; at least, I sha'n't
+advise it. If we can save the boys, we ought to
+be satisfied. That sentry will dig out as soon as
+he scents danger, and all we can do is to let him
+go."</p>
+
+<p>"How awful still it is, and how fearful dark!"
+continued Bob. "I hope you won't get confused
+and miss your way."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no danger of that," replied George
+confidently. "I can see the stars, and they are as
+good as a compass to me. I have often travelled
+by them, and they have never fooled me yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are the wolves, I wonder?" said Bob,
+who was so impatient and so highly excited that
+he could not long hold his peace. "They keep up
+their unearthly howls every night when we wish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>
+them a thousand miles away, but now, when a yelp
+from one of them would be a relief, they don't put
+in an appearance."</p>
+
+<p>"And I am glad of it," said George. "Don't
+you know that a pack of wolves are the best
+sentries a camping-party can have?"</p>
+
+<p>Yes, Bob said he was aware of that fact.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," continued George, "don't you see that
+the little breeze there is stirring is blowing from
+us toward the camp? If there were any wolves
+around, they would probably be on the other side
+of the gully, for it would be a waste of time for
+them to prowl around here among these sandhills,
+where they couldn't find even a rabbit to eat. The
+moment they caught our wind they would scamper
+off, and then 'Good-bye, prisoners.' I wish I knew
+where those Indians have staked out their ponies,
+for I stand more in fear of them than I do of that
+sentry. If we should get to windward of them,
+they would kick up a rumpus directly."</p>
+
+<p>The longer Bob talked with George the more
+clearly the difficulties attending his undertaking
+seemed to stand but before him, and the greater
+grew his anxiety and impatience. If his attempt
+to surprise the Indian camp failed, there was no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>
+telling when Mr. Wentworth's boys would be heard
+of again. If it suited their captors to spare their
+lives, they would doubtless be sold to some band
+who lived at a great distance from the agency, and
+who would take the greatest pains to keep their existence
+a profound secret. If they were ever given
+up at all, it would only be after that particular band
+had been soundly thrashed for some outrage, and
+then they would be brought forward as an element
+in the "peace negotiations," their captors demanding
+a heavy ransom and taking great credit to themselves
+for surrendering them. But this might not
+happen for years, and during that time a great many
+things might happen to the boys. They might become
+so completely broken down by cruel treatment
+that their death would be a blessing, or else so
+thoroughly infatuated with the Indian mode of
+life that, if left to themselves, they would choose
+to go back to the wigwams of their savage masters
+rather than return to the home of their father.</p>
+
+<p>"It's now or never," said Bob to himself after
+he had thought the matter over. "I don't wonder
+that Mr. Wentworth feels so spiteful, for if these
+Indians are not killed during this scout, they will
+never be punished for what they have done to him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>
+The government is too tender-hearted to touch
+them, and if Mr. Wentworth takes the law into
+his own hands, he will be sure to suffer for it.
+They will go back to their agency to grow fat on
+government grub and be kept warm in winter by
+government blankets; and their agent, in order to
+prevent an investigation that might take a few
+dollars out of his pocket, will be ready to swear
+that they have never been off their reservation.
+I wonder how he would feel if he saw his own
+children carried into captivity?"</p>
+
+<p>For two long hours the weary troopers continued
+the march, stopping for rest only when Bob and
+George climbed some sandhill to reconnoitre the
+ground before them. The deep silence that brooded
+over the Staked Plains was almost oppressive.
+The bare feet of the troopers gave out no sound as
+they sank into the yielding sand, and all that could
+be heard was their labored breathing as they walked
+behind their leader, trusting implicitly to his
+guidance. They never uttered a word, but Bob's
+impatience and nervousness would have kept his
+tongue in constant motion had it not been for
+George, who gave him an energetic prod in the
+ribs whenever he showed a disposition to become<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>
+colloquial. He felt that he must do something
+pretty soon or sink under his burden of responsibility,
+which seemed to grow heavier the longer he
+walked; consequently, when George stopped all of
+a sudden and silently pointed his finger at a dense
+wall of trees that ran across their path, his delight
+knew no bounds. The ravine in which the Indians
+were encamped was close in front of them.
+The murmuring of the waterfall which came up
+from its wooded depths was a pleasant sound to
+his ears, but he and his troopers had much to
+do before they could quench their thirst at that
+rippling stream.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>HE WINS IT FAIRLY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>As it was not necessary to waste any precious
+time in giving verbal orders, a complete code
+of signals having been decided upon before they
+left their horses, George at once threw himself
+upon his hands and knees, and worked his way
+along the edge of the bluff until he reached a
+position directly above the camp, the location of
+which was pointed out by a little blaze, scarcely
+larger, apparently, than the flame of a candle. He
+looked in vain for the sentry, and would have given
+something handsome if there had been some one
+at hand to tell him just where he was.</p>
+
+<p>"If he still holds his position on the top of that
+sandhill, we are all right," said George to himself,
+"but if he has taken the alarm, we are all wrong.
+In that case the Indians have done one of two
+things: they have either made ready to ambush<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>
+us, or else they have fled, taking their prisoners
+with them. Well, we shall soon know, for here
+goes for the fight that none of us may ever come
+out of alive."</p>
+
+<p>As these thoughts passed through George's mind
+he seized Bob's waist-belt and gave it two jerks,
+which meant "Follow me." Then he crept back
+along the line, and as he passed each trooper
+he took him by the arm and pulled him around,
+so that his head pointed toward the camp-fire.
+This meant a movement by the right flank. After
+this he and Bob placed themselves in the centre
+of the line, the men giving way right and left
+to make room for them, and at a given signal Bob
+stuck his elbow into the ribs of the trooper to the
+left of him, while George in a similar manner admonished
+the one on the right of himself; and the
+advance began, the guide being centre. We mean
+by this that the men on Bob's left kept themselves
+in their proper place in line by touching the shoulder
+of the man next on their right, while those on
+George's right hand kept within easy reach of the
+men next on their left, each member of the line
+moving no whit slower or faster than the guides
+in the centre, Bob and George. If <i>they</i> stopped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>
+and listened and tried to peer through the bushes
+in front of them to obtain a view of the camp, the
+whole line stopped and listened and peered. When
+the guides advanced the troopers did the same,
+their movements being conducted without a whisper,
+and with such extreme caution that scarcely a
+leaf was heard to rustle. It took them almost an
+hour to descend the bluff, which was probably
+not more than a hundred feet in height, but the
+sight that greeted them when the final halt was
+made more than repaid them for all their toil.
+They had crept up within less than a dozen yards
+of the fire, and the camp and all its inmates were
+in plain view of them.</p>
+
+<p>Their first care was to find the boys, and the next
+to ascertain the number and position of their adversaries.
+The boys were there, lying side by side on
+a bed of leaves, with their arms thrown around each
+other, and wrapped in slumber as peaceful, apparently,
+as ever came to their eyes while they were
+safe under their father's roof. Every one of the
+troopers shut his lips tightly at the sight of them,
+and half a dozen cocked carbines were pointed over
+their unconscious heads, ready to send to kingdom-come
+the first thing in the shape of a Kiowa that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>
+dared approach them. They were not protected in
+any way from the night air save by the branches
+of the trees which waved gently above them, while
+every one of the four Indians who were lying
+around them was wrapped up head and ears in
+a quilt or blanket which he had stolen during
+the raid.</p>
+
+<p>One sweeping glance was enough to enable Bob
+and George to take in all these little details, and it
+is scarcely necessary to say that they were highly
+elated over the promise of success which the situation
+seemed to hold out to them. Bob would have
+been a little better satisfied if he could have seen
+any way of taking the Indians alive, and so making
+a "finished job of it," as he afterward told his friend
+George; but, knowing that this was entirely beyond
+his power, he was about to give the signal to advance
+when a most unexpected interruption occurred.
+They heard the snapping of twigs behind them,
+accompanied by a slight rustling among the leaves,
+such as might be made by some heavy body working
+its way cautiously through the thick undergrowth.
+The astonished troopers hugged the ground
+closely, holding their breath in suspense; and in a
+second more, without a single footstep being audible,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>
+the bushes parted and the form of an Indian warrior
+could be dimly seen through the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"Beyond a doubt it is the sentry coming in to
+call his relief," thought Bob. "<i>Now</i>, how am I
+going to act? Shall I let him go into the camp,
+or not?"</p>
+
+<p>Without pausing an instant, the Indian, all unconscious
+of danger, approached the line, and might
+have passed through it between Bob and Carey without
+discovering anything to excite his suspicions, had
+not the former, acting upon the impulse of the moment,
+made up his mind that he would not go back
+to his comrades without at least one prisoner to reward
+him for his long and tiresome scout. Throwing
+out his arm, he caught the warrior around the
+legs and lifting him from the ground threw him
+upon his back. He fell across Carey and Loring,
+both of whom turned like lightning and seized
+him, one trying to secure his arms, so that he could
+not draw a weapon, and the other taking him by
+the throat. Everything was done quickly, but not
+quickly enough to shut off the wild yell with which
+the captive Indian awoke the echoes of the gully.
+Seeing that all further attempts at concealment were
+useless, Bob and George jumped to their feet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Forward with a cheer!" yelled the former.
+"Cover the boys, everybody."</p>
+
+<p>This last order was hardly necessary, for each
+individual member of the squad had secretly resolved
+to do that very thing, leaving his companions
+to act as they pleased.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians were wide awake and moving before
+their unlucky comrade's yell had fairly left
+his lips. So quickly did they spring to their
+feet that the troopers might have thought, if they
+had been allowed time to think at all, that the
+savages had been merely keeping up an appearance
+of sleep, so as to be ready to jump from their blankets
+at the very first note of alarm. So well schooled
+were they, and so ready to act, and to act quickly
+and intelligently in any emergency, that they did
+not hesitate an instant. They did not even look
+to see from which way the danger that threatened
+them was coming, but made a simultaneous rush for
+their captives, intending, no doubt, to carry them
+away if they could, or to kill them if they found
+themselves surrounded so that they could not escape.
+But no Indian's hand touched those boys again that
+night. Three of them fell dead before they had
+fairly left their tracks, and the other, taking warn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>ing
+by their fate, dived into the bushes in much the
+same way that a boy takes a "header" from a log,
+and got safely off, in spite of the bullets which whistled
+about his ears and scattered the leaves all over
+him. The troopers knew that he had got off unhurt,
+because there was no blood on the trail which
+George took up the next morning and followed to
+the place where the Indians had left their horses&mdash;a
+little glade about a quarter of a mile from the camp
+in which grass was abundant and water easy of
+access.</p>
+
+<p>George at once made his way to the side of the
+captives, who were sitting up on their bed of leaves,
+rubbing their eyes and looking about in a bewildered
+sort of way, and throwing his arm around them
+spoke soothing and encouraging words in their ears;
+while Bob, after ordering one of his men to mend
+the fire, seized a brand from it and ran back to see
+what had become of Carey and Loring. The fight
+was over, and Carey was growling lustily over a
+wound in his arm which the slippery savage had
+inflicted upon him, having managed in some mysterious
+way to gain momentary possession of his
+knife; but Loring was unharmed and the Indian
+was insensible. He had been knocked out of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>
+time by a vicious whack from the butt of a carbine
+held in the hands of the enraged Carey. The
+blow was not, however, as effective as the trooper
+intended it should be, for it had expended a good
+deal of its power upon the bushes which happened
+to be in the way, and instead of sending the Indian
+out of the world altogether, it had only stunned him.
+He was powerless now. His hands were securely
+confined by Loring's carbine-sling, and the latter,
+having passed the Indian's blanket under his arms
+and brought the ends together behind his back, was
+ready to drag his captive into camp.</p>
+
+<p>"I am no slouch&mdash;there isn't a boy in the troop,
+young or old, who can take my measure on the
+ground&mdash;but if this fellow gave us a fair specimen
+of an Indian's way of rough-and-tumble fighting,
+I don't want to get hold of any more Indians.&mdash;He
+was a hard one, wasn't he?" said Loring, appealing
+to his wounded comrade, who grunted out an emphatic
+assent. "He didn't seem to be so very strong,
+but he was just a trifle quicker than chain-lightning,
+and as slippery and wiry as&mdash;as&mdash;Why, an
+eel isn't nowhere alongside of him."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I had whacked him over the head before
+he gave me this prod," said Carey, shaking his fist<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>
+at the unconscious object of his wrath. "It's my
+sword-arm too, and I'll just bet that the doctor
+won't let me go on another scout for a month."</p>
+
+<p>With Bob's aid the Indian was dragged into
+camp, and thrown down there as if he had been
+a sack of corn. The fire was burning brightly (an
+Indian builds a small fire and gets close to it, while
+a white man builds a big one and backs away from
+it), the bodies of the slain warriors had been dragged
+into the bushes out of sight, and their weapons,
+saddles and bridles, which the troopers intended to
+carry back to the fort with them as trophies of their
+prowess, had been collected and deposited in a safe
+place.</p>
+
+<p>George had been devoting himself to the boys,
+who did not seem to be at all afraid, and were by
+no means so excited as he was. Their astonishing
+courage called forth the unbounded admiration of
+the troopers, and the pert answers they gave to the
+questions that were asked them made them smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Bob, if you want to see what Texas boys
+are made of, come here," said George. "The older
+one answers to the name of Sheldon, and the little
+fellow is Tommy. Sheldon says that if his
+brother had been a little older and stronger the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>
+Indians never would have taken them to their
+village, for they would have killed them and made
+their escape."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" grunted Carey, whose wound seemed
+to put him in very bad humor.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you say that?" demanded Bob,
+turning upon him somewhat sharply. "Don't
+you know that such things have been done before
+now?"</p>
+
+<p>"By boys?" asked Carey.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, by boys," replied Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't know it," said the wounded
+trooper.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a matter of history, any way," said George.
+"Two brothers, John and Henry Johnson, aged
+respectively thirteen and eleven years of age, were
+captured by two Delaware Indians on Short Creek,
+West Virginia, in October, 1788. That very night
+they killed their captors by shooting one and tomahawking
+the other."</p>
+
+<p>"Did they get away?" asked Sheldon eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, they got away. Now, I want to ask
+you a few questions&mdash;and, Bob, I want you to pay
+attention to his replies.&mdash;Where have you been to
+get so much mud on your boots?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why, back there in the plains we came to a
+little bayou, and the banks of it was all muddy;
+and the Injins they pulled us off the ponies and
+made us walk into all that there mud, and then
+they laughed at us because we didn't like it," answered
+the boy; and his ludicrous display of rage
+over the indignity that had been put upon himself
+and his brother made the troopers smile again.</p>
+
+<p>"Go on," said George. "What did you do
+next?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they took us out of the mud after a
+while, the Injins did, and then one of 'em he took
+us on a pony and rode off by himself until he found
+this party; and we've been with them ever since."</p>
+
+<p>"What did I tell you?" exclaimed George, hitting
+Bob a back-handed slap on the chest. "What
+do you think of my guessing now?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are pretty good at it," answered
+Bob. "And seeing you <i>are</i>, I wish you would
+try your hand in a new line. Suppose you take a
+couple of men with you, and all our canteens and
+coffee-pots, and guess your way down the bluff to
+the stream, and bring us back a supply of water?
+We'll have a good fire going by the time you return,
+and then we'll boil a cup of coffee."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'll do it," said George readily.</p>
+
+<p>"And while you are guessing, guess at the
+probable movements of that Indian who got
+away," continued Bob. "Will he be likely to
+trouble us to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>"He will not," was the confident reply. "Our
+party is too large. He will make the best of his
+way home, you may depend upon it."</p>
+
+<p>While George and the two troopers whom Bob
+detailed to accompany him were gone after the
+water, those who remained in camp were not idle.
+One bound up Carey's wounded arm, another
+brought in a bountiful supply of fire-wood, others
+stood guard, and one assisted the corporal in collecting
+a quantity of leaves and light branches, and
+went out with him to signal to the four men who
+had been left behind with the horses. They readily
+found the hill which had served as a lookout-station
+for the warrior who was now a captive in
+their hands; and they knew it when they found it,
+for there was the pile of bushes through which he
+had looked while watching the trail, and the print
+of his body in the sand. A fire was speedily lighted
+on the summit, and kept burning brightly to
+guide the absent troopers to the captured camp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>
+That little beacon shining through the darkness
+must have been a welcome sight to their eyes,
+for it told of the complete success of their companions
+and of the rest and water that were to
+be found where they were.</p>
+
+<p>When George returned to the camp after nearly
+half an hour's absence he found the fire blazing
+cheerily, and the two rescued boys, who seemed
+almost exhausted by their long journey, sleeping
+soundly beside it, covered by a quilt which some
+kind-hearted trooper had thrown over their shoulders.
+The troopers were laughing heartily but
+silently at Carey and Loring, who seemed to bear
+their merriment with very bad grace.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter now?" inquired George as
+he distributed the canteens among them and placed
+the coffee-pots beside the fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Come here and see for yourself," replied Loring,
+taking George by the arm and leading him
+to the place where the captive Indian lay, all the
+troopers following at his heels.</p>
+
+<p>"Me good Injun," grunted the prisoner, who
+seemed to have recovered his senses.</p>
+
+<p>"So I perceive," replied George. "Good Indians
+steal stock and carry off white boys, don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>
+they?&mdash;But I don't see anything about him to
+laugh at."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, he's nothing but a kid," exclaimed Phillips,
+"and yet Carey and Loring are both willing
+to confess that it was all they could do to handle
+him. They told us a wonderful story about the
+terrible fight they had before they could tie him,
+and so we took a look at him, expecting to find
+him a giant; but instead of that&mdash;Well, you
+can see that he's only a papoose."</p>
+
+<p>George looked down at the boyish face and
+slender figure of the young warrior, then at the
+two grizzly old veterans who had fought so hard
+to capture him, and felt more than half inclined
+to laugh himself. Either one of them could have
+strangled him with a finger and a thumb if he
+could have got hold of him; but getting a good
+hold was the trouble. An Indian makes up in
+suppleness and activity what he lacks in strength,
+and it takes a good man to handle one. Of course
+the troopers were sorry for their wounded comrade,
+but they had "got a joke" on him, and it was a
+long time before he heard the last of it.</p>
+
+<p>The men who had been left to take care of the
+horses arrived in about an hour, and then George<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>
+had another disagreeable task to perform, which
+was to pilot the animals down to the water and
+find a feeding-ground for them. Being entirely
+unacquainted with the gully and surrounding country,
+it took him a long time to do this; but he accomplished
+it at last, in spite of the darkness, and
+about one o'clock in the morning he was at liberty
+to go to his blanket.</p>
+
+<p>The troopers slept later than usual the next
+morning, for they were all tired out; but Bob's
+loud call of "Catch up!" brought them to their
+feet before the sun had risen high enough to send
+any of his rays into the camp. As there was a
+good deal to be done and but little time to do it
+in, four details were made, and certain duties assigned
+to each. The first, which consisted solely
+of Loring, was ordered to dish up a cup of coffee
+in a little less than no time; George and Phillips
+were instructed to follow up the trail of the missing
+Indian and see where it led to; Bob and a
+companion bent their steps toward the sandhill to
+ascertain the whereabouts of the main body of the
+expedition; and the others brought in the horses
+and gave them the grain that was left in the saddle-pockets.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Before ascending the hill Bob and his companion
+gathered each an armful of dry grass and weeds.
+These were deposited upon the highest part of the
+hill and lighted by a match which Bob struck on
+his coat-sleeve. As soon as the blaze was fairly
+started, but before the whole pile was ignited, Bob
+smothered it by throwing on more grass and weeds;
+and when this was done a column of smoke that
+could be seen at the distance of fifty miles began
+to rise in the air.</p>
+
+<p>"Now let me see," said Bob, pulling out the
+paper which Captain Clinton had copied from
+his note-book when he started him on the trail.
+"I want to say, 'Where are you, captain?' and
+how shall I say it?"</p>
+
+<p>He ran his eye down the page and finally found
+these instructions:</p>
+
+<p>"A detached party desiring to ascertain the position
+of the main body will signal as follows: A long
+smoke of a minute's duration; three short smokes,
+followed by half a minute's interval; two short
+smokes, with half a minute's interval; one short
+smoke, followed immediately by a long one. If
+the signal is observed, the reply will be the same.
+If no reply is received in five minutes, repeat from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>
+some other and, if possible, higher point, and so
+continue until an answering signal is seen."</p>
+
+<p>As the reader may not quite understand this, we
+will tell just how Bob made the signal. He allowed
+the column of smoke to ascend just one
+minute by his watch, then took a blanket from his
+shoulder and with a quick movement threw it over
+the smoldering pile, holding two of the corners
+tight to the ground, while his companion held the
+opposite corners. This, of course, confined the
+smoke so that no more arose. At the end of half
+a minute he raised the blanket three times in quick
+succession, and three balloon-shaped clouds floated
+off over the sandhills. Waiting half a minute, he
+lifted the blanket twice, and two more little clouds
+arose. At the end of another half a minute he
+permitted a single cloud to escape, and then threw
+the blanket off altogether; whereupon a long,
+slender column, like the one that arose when the
+fire was first started, shot up into the air. Then
+Bob seated himself on the ground and waited
+rather anxiously for a reply; but he was not obliged
+to wait long. Before the five minutes had
+elapsed an answering smoke was seen; and though
+it was a long distance off, the atmosphere was so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>
+clear, and the white clouds showed so plainly
+against the blue sky, that the signal could be
+plainly read. It was the same as the one Bob
+had just sent up, and so he knew that it was intended
+for him.</p>
+
+<p>This mode of signalling, which is usually called
+"telegraphing by smokes," is in general use among
+the Plains Indians, and it was from them that our
+army-officers serving on the border caught the idea.
+Of course they have a system of their own, which
+is very different from that of the Indians. The
+latter cannot read an army-signal, and neither can
+the officers, with all their striving and scheming,
+gain a key that will enable them to read the Indian
+code. It is as much of a mystery as the
+manner in which a chief conducts a drill of his
+warriors or controls them in battle without appearing
+to hold any communication with them. Both
+these secrets are closely guarded, the Indians considering
+that it would be "bad medicine" to reveal
+them to the white man.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see the exact spot from which
+that smoke arose?" Bob asked of his companion.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered the trooper.</p>
+
+<p>"Then fix it in your mind, so that you can point<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>
+it out to George Ackerman. Now that our work
+is done we will go back to camp."</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast was soon despatched, and in less than
+half an hour the squad was again on the move,
+three of the troopers, in order to accommodate the
+rescued boys and the Indian captive, being obliged
+to "carry double." Their route lay along the edge
+of the bluff, within easy reach of water, only three
+halts being made&mdash;one for dinner, and two for the
+purpose of sending up signals to Captain Clinton.
+As his replies, which were promptly made, came
+from the same place, Bob became satisfied that the
+captain was waiting for him. Of course this caused
+much speculation among the troopers. Had the
+captain given up the pursuit, or had he overtaken
+and scattered the thieves and recovered Mr. Wentworth's
+stock? Bob was inclined to hold to the
+latter opinion.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p291.jpg" alt="p291" title="illus_032b"/></div>
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Telegraphing by Smoke.</span></span></div>
+
+<p>"The captain is a hard man to get away from
+when he once makes up his mind for business,"
+said he; "and I just know that he's got those
+cattle, or the most of them. If he has, Mr. Wentworth
+is all right, for we have got his boys. If
+your theory is correct&mdash;and I begin to believe it is,
+for everything else has turned out just as you said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>
+little end of the horn, won't he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Some officer almost always has to do that,"
+answered George. "But the lieutenant will have
+some honor reflected upon him, if he doesn't win
+any for himself, for it was a portion of his own
+troop, commanded by one of his own non-commissioned
+officers, who rescued the boys."</p>
+
+<p>About two hours before sunset the troopers began
+to call one another's attention to the fact that
+the sandhills, among which they had been marching
+all day long, were growing less in number and
+height, and to congratulate themselves on drawing
+near to their journey's end. An hour later they
+came to the last hill, and as they were riding by
+it a sentry who had been stationed there presented
+himself to their view.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>"THREE CHEERS FOR THE 'BRINDLES'!"</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Hallo, Buel!" exclaimed Bob, recognizing
+in the sentry one of his own company boys,
+"you'll let us in, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I <i>am</i> beat!" replied the man. "Corporal,
+you're a brick. Three cheers for the 'Brindles'!"</p>
+
+<p>He stood in the "position of a soldier," with his
+carbine at a "carry," and spoke in a low tone, for
+he knew that there were officers with field-glasses
+not far away, and that he had no business to exchange
+compliments with anybody after this fashion
+while he was on post. But when he saw the
+captive Indian and Mr. Wentworth's boys he
+could not restrain himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Bob, the boys ought to give you a benefit," he
+added.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got something to show for this scout,
+even if we are 'Brindles,' haven't we?" said the
+corporal, holding himself very stiffly in his saddle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>
+and looking straight before him, so as not to 'give
+the sentry away.' "Have you beaten us any?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not by a great sight."</p>
+
+<p>"What have you done, anyway?"</p>
+
+<p>"We've got the most of the stock back, but nary
+red. Where's Lieutenant Earle?"</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't seen him," answered Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"We haven't seen him either, nor have we heard
+from him since that courier arrived."</p>
+
+<p>The troopers now found themselves on the border
+of a wide plain, whose opposite side was
+bounded by a long line of willows, which fringed
+the banks of a water-course. On the edge of the
+willows were gathered the members of the main
+body, who, having been apprised by their sentinels
+of the approach of Bob and his party, had assembled
+to see them come in. Bob began to grow excited
+at once. He and his men had performed no
+ordinary exploit, and so impatient was he to have
+his success known to his comrades that he could
+not wait until he reached the camp to tell his story.</p>
+
+<p>"You fellows who carry double, ride out there
+and square yourselves around, so that they can see
+that we have not returned empty-handed," commanded
+Bob, who forthwith proceeded to ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>ecute his own order
+by placing the three men
+who "carried double" one behind the other, broadside
+to the camp, so that the officers with their field-glasses
+could observe that each horse had two riders
+on his back. "I declare I feel like one of those
+old Roman conquerors&mdash;on a small scale; but in
+order to carry out the role I ought to make one
+end of a lariat fast to that Indian's neck and drag
+him into the camp, oughtn't I? That's the way
+the Romans used to do with their captives, only
+they chained them to their chariot-wheels. There
+you are!&mdash;Swing your caps, you kids, and holler,
+to let your father know you are here."</p>
+
+<p>The boys obeyed with alacrity, swinging their
+caps around their heads and laughing and shouting
+by turns, while the two soldiers behind whom they
+rode raised their own caps on the muzzles of their
+carbines and joined in with a wild soldier yell.
+George Ackerman kept watch of the camp through
+his glass to note the movements of its inmates and
+make reports of the manner in which this demonstration
+was received by them.</p>
+
+<p>"There's the captain," said he. "He is coming
+out in front of the men, in company with some
+of the officers. Now they are all looking at us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span>
+through their glasses. Now the captain has taken
+down his glass and is saying something. Here
+they come!"</p>
+
+<p>It was evident that the captain had reported the
+result of his observations, for as George uttered
+these last words and lowered his glass the men
+broke into a run and dashed across the plain, raising
+their charging-yell as they came.</p>
+
+<p>"You fellows who carry double, take the post
+of honor," commanded Bob; "ride at the head
+of the squad.&mdash;Say, boys," he added, facing about
+in his saddle and speaking to the men behind him,
+"look out for Wentworth. There was a look in
+his eye the last time I saw him that I didn't at all
+like, and when he finds out that we have captured
+one of the Indians, he may&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"There he comes now!" exclaimed one of the
+troopers.</p>
+
+<p>Bob looked toward the camp, and saw that his
+man had not been mistaken. Behind the troopers,
+who were still running forward to meet their returning
+comrades, but rapidly overhauling them
+with every jump of his horse, was the father of
+the rescued boys. He rode without saddle, bridle
+or hat, his long hair was streaming straight out be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>hind
+him, he carried in his hand the rifle with
+which he had done such deadly work while he
+was defending his home, and he was constantly
+digging his heels into the sides of his horse, as if
+he were trying to make him go faster. The man
+could have but one object in view: that was Bob's
+opinion, and it must have been Captain Clinton's
+opinion too, judging by his actions. The latter
+had raised both hands to his face and stood with
+his head thrown back, as if he were shouting out
+some orders; but if he gave any they were drowned
+in the lusty cheers of the approaching troopers,
+who ran as if they were engaged in a foot-race.</p>
+
+<p>"That man certainly means mischief," said
+George.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure of it," replied the corporal. "But
+I should act in just the same way if I were in his
+place. I'd put an end to that Indian in spite of
+all the soldiers that ever wore the 'honored blue;'
+but that, I know, would be very wrong, for this
+red imp is one of the government wards, and nobody
+must presume to lay an ugly hand on him."</p>
+
+<p>"What would be done with Mr. Wentworth if
+he should shoot your prisoner?" asked George.</p>
+
+<p>"'What would be done with him?'" repeated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>
+Bob, bitterly. "Why, he would be put in arrest
+before he could say 'Jerusalem!' and the agent
+of the Kiowas would insist on his being tried for
+murder, notwithstanding the fact that this same
+Indian was one of the party that burned Mr.
+Wentworth's house and carried his children into
+captivity. Why, George, unless you are posted
+you have no idea&mdash;But I will tell you a short
+story by and by. Just now I must attend to our
+friend Mr. Wentworth. Stand by me, for I believe
+I shall need a helping hand before I get through
+with him."</p>
+
+<p>While this conversation was going on Bob had
+kept a watchful eye upon the movements of Mr.
+Wentworth, who had by this time passed the troopers
+and was guiding his horse so as to come up on
+the left flank of Bob's squad. As soon as the latter
+became satisfied that this was the man's intention,
+he rode out of the line and placed himself beside
+the captive Indian, who was riding on Loring's
+horse and was by no means an uninterested spectator
+of what passed before him. He too was
+keeping his gaze directed toward Mr. Wentworth,
+whom he doubtless recognized.</p>
+
+<p>"White man very angry&mdash;heap mad&mdash;as mad,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>
+in fact, as a wet hen," said Bob, trying to imitate
+an Indian's way of talking, but making a sad mess
+of it in his excitement. "He's mad at you for carrying
+his boys off, and he's going to shoot you dead&mdash;heap
+dead&mdash;as dead as a door-nail; and he'll serve
+you just right, too."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope he won't miss the red and hit me," said
+Loring.</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't be afraid of that, for these Texans
+are all good shots," answered Bob; adding in
+a lower tone, "I'll just tell you what's a fact, Loring:
+I wouldn't interfere with him if I could
+help it."</p>
+
+<p>The young savage understood what Bob said,
+but not a muscle of his face changed. If he had
+been an old warrior, he would probably have begun
+his death-chant; but having performed no
+deeds of which he could boast, he remained silent
+and calmly awaited the fate that would have been
+inevitable had it not been for George Ackerman's
+skill in horsemanship.</p>
+
+<p>The animal on which Mr. Wentworth was mounted
+was evidently accustomed to being ridden without
+a bridle, for his master guided him with the
+greatest ease. When he had almost reached the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>
+squad he suddenly swerved from his course, in
+obedience to a signal conveyed to him by a quick
+movement of his rider's body, and galloping swiftly
+around the head of the line stopped short on the
+other flank. By this unexpected change of tactics
+the enraged father had gained a position on the unguarded
+side of the prisoner, and if he had acted
+as soon as his horse came to a standstill he would
+have accomplished his purpose in spite of everything;
+but he could not resist the temptation to
+talk for just a moment, and that moment's delay
+defeated him. Cocking his rifle with great deliberation,
+he said fiercely,</p>
+
+<p>"You have eaten salt in my house, you have slept
+by my fire, you have drunk from my spring when
+you were thirsty, you Indian dog, and now&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>When the man had gone thus far rage choked
+his utterance, and he could not say another word.
+He drew his rifle to his shoulder, but the muzzle,
+instead of covering the head of the Indian, covered
+the person of George Ackerman, who was coming
+toward him with all the speed his horse could
+put forth.</p>
+
+<p>The boy had sprung into life and activity the
+instant he witnessed Mr. Wentworth's cunning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>
+manoeuvre, for he knew what it meant. Giving
+a pull at his left rein, at the same time touching
+his horse lightly with the spurs, the animal wheeled
+like a flash on his hind feet, and, dashing through
+the line behind Bob Owens (some of the troopers
+afterward declared that he jumped clear over Bob's
+horse), brought his rider to the right side of the
+Indian just in time to intercept the deadly aim.
+In another second George had seized the rifle
+with both hands, and a terrific struggle began between
+him and Mr. Wentworth for the possession
+of the weapon. In less time than it takes to tell
+it the man, having no stirrups to support him, was
+jerked off his horse, and before he could recover
+himself and plant his feet firmly on the ground
+the rifle was twisted out of his grasp, and the
+bullet contained in the chamber was sent whistling
+harmlessly off over the sandhills.</p>
+
+<p>"No more of that!" exclaimed Bob, who rode
+up just half a minute too late to be of any assistance.
+"Keep quiet now, or you'll go back to
+camp with a guard over you."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Wentworth," said George, bending down
+from his saddle and laying his hand upon the
+angry man's shoulder, "your good sense must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>
+tell you that the corporal can't stand peaceably
+by and see his prisoner shot. What are you
+thinking of?"</p>
+
+<p>"Give me that gun," panted Mr. Wentworth,
+who was white to the lips and trembling in every
+limb. "I'll&mdash;I'll&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You'll do nothing but behave yourself," interrupted
+Bob. "You can't have that rifle again
+until Captain Clinton says so, for you don't know
+how to act when you have it in your hands; you
+point it around too loose and reckless. Haven't
+you something besides revenge to think of now?
+Can't you see that we have brought your boys
+back to you safe and sound?"</p>
+
+<p>The man's face softened at once. Tears came
+to his eyes, and darting quickly around Bob's
+horse he ran up to his children, and, pulling them
+both to the ground at once, folded them in his arms.
+But we will not say any more about that meeting,
+will we? The joy of a family reunited under
+circumstances like these is something too sacred
+to be intruded upon even by a sympathizing pen,
+isn't it? Even the troopers, some of whom had
+witnessed many an affecting scene, could not stand
+it, but turned away their heads and drew their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>
+hands hastily across their eyes, as if to brush away
+something that seemed to be obscuring their vision.
+One of them caught Mr. Wentworth's horse, and
+after the latter had mounted and taken his boys
+up with him, one in front and the other behind,
+the squad continued its march toward the camp.</p>
+
+<p>When Bob came to look in front of him, he
+found that the appearance of things had changed
+somewhat. The comrades who had started out to
+meet him were no longer advancing in a compact
+body. They had halted and drawn themselves up
+in two parallel lines, facing each other, and leaving
+room enough between them for Bob and his
+squad to pass through.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo!" exclaimed the delighted corporal.
+"The boys have got up a reception for us, and
+we must meet it in good shape.&mdash;Attention, squad!
+Draw sabres!&mdash;Loring, ride on ahead with Mr.
+Wentworth.&mdash;George, come up on my right."</p>
+
+<p>When these orders were issued the men promptly
+fell into line, conversation ceased on the instant,
+tobacco was knocked out of pipes that had but
+just been filled, carbines were adjusted in soldier-fashion,
+caps that had been worn with the
+peak behind were turned right side in front, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>
+twelve bright blades leaped from their scabbards.
+In this order the successful troopers rode by their
+comrades, who cheered them loudly, and then fell
+in behind and followed them into camp, marching
+in column of fours. Bob at once rode up to Captain
+Clinton's fire, and dismounted to make his
+report, which he did in this way:</p>
+
+<p>"I have the honor, sir, to report that we surprised
+five Indians in camp last night, captured
+one, killed three and released Mr. Wentworth's
+boys."</p>
+
+<p>"Good for you, corporal!" exclaimed the captain,
+his astonishment getting the better of him
+for the moment. "Anybody hurt on your side?"</p>
+
+<p>"One wounded, sir. Private Carey received a
+knife-thrust in the right arm while assisting Private
+Loring to capture the Indian."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good," said the captain, resuming his
+official tones and dignity at the same time. "Stake
+out your horses, and then come back here. I want
+to hear all the particulars. What was the cause of
+that disturbance out there on the plain?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was the cause of it, cap, you bet," exclaimed
+Mr. Wentworth, whose face did not look
+much as it did when he galloped out to meet Bob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>
+and his squad. Then it was disturbed with passion;
+now it was beaming with joy. "I'd ha'
+sent that Injin to the happy land o' Canaan in a
+little less than the shake of a buck's tail if Ackerman
+hadn't stopped me, you bet."</p>
+
+<p>"It was a good thing for you that he did stop
+you," said the captain quietly. "You would have
+brought yourself into serious trouble by such a
+proceeding."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that," said Mr. Wentworth, "but who
+cares for trouble when his dander's up? Say, cap,
+may I have my rifle? Ackerman took it away
+from me."</p>
+
+<p>"You may have it on condition that you will
+make no more attempts on the life of this prisoner,"
+replied the captain. "There is a law to
+deal with such fellows as he is."</p>
+
+<p>"Where in the world is it, I'd like to know?"
+exclaimed Mr. Wentworth fiercely. "It hasn't got
+out here to Texas yet. If I had shot him, as I
+meant to do, you would have had a guard over
+me in no time; but he came with a band of his
+friends and set fire to my house, and carried off
+my little boys, and killed my herdsmen, and drove
+off my stock; and you, knowing it all, stand here,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>
+with your hundred and twenty blue-coats, and tell
+me that I must not touch him. Your colonel will
+give him up when his agent makes a demand for
+him, and he'll go back to his reservation, and
+the government will feed him on good food and
+give him good clothes, and some rascally trader
+will sell him more powder and balls to kill white
+folks with; but if <i>I</i>&mdash;Dog-gone my buttons!&mdash;Ackerman,
+give me that rifle."</p>
+
+<p>It was plain that Mr. Wentworth's "dander"
+was still "up"&mdash;'way up. The listening troopers
+exchanged glances of approval with one another,
+and would have cheered him if they had dared.
+Being a civilian, the man was at liberty to talk
+pretty much as he pleased; but if one of their own
+number had made such an exhibition of temper
+in the presence of an officer, he would have been
+punished for it.</p>
+
+<p>"We will not discuss that matter," said the
+captain calmly. "I know my business and attend
+to it strictly, leaving the agents to look out
+for their own affairs. They are not responsible
+to me, or to you either, for the manner in which
+they do the work entrusted to them."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, cap," said Mr. Wentworth, picking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>
+up one of his boys and then lowering him carefully
+to the ground. "Mum is the word, if you say so.
+But I haven't heard you tell Ackerman to give
+me that rifle yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Neither have I heard you make that promise,"
+was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'll make it, but I tell you I hate to,
+mightily."</p>
+
+<p>The captain smiled, and nodded to George, who
+rode up and handed over the Winchester.</p>
+
+<p>"She's a good one, cap, and when she speaks
+she means business&mdash;<i>she</i> does," said Mr. Wentworth,
+holding the recovered weapon off at arm's
+length and gazing at it with admiring eyes. "She
+is sure death on Kiowas, for she knows I have got
+something ag'inst them. She rubbed out ten of
+'em during the last fight she was in, and she'll
+spoil the good looks of many more of them before
+I hand her over to my oldest boy for good.&mdash;Put
+her on your shoulder, Sheldon, and come on."</p>
+
+<p>Lifting his youngest child in his arms, Mr.
+Wentworth walked away, Sheldon marching
+proudly by his side with the rifle on his shoulder,
+and the horse following quietly at his heels. Then
+Bob and George rode away with the squad, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>
+troopers gradually dispersed, and the captain and
+his officers went back to the blankets on which
+they had been dozing away the time while waiting
+for Corporal Owens.</p>
+
+<p>If it had not been for the fact that he had
+nearly a thousand head of recaptured stock on
+his hands, the captain would have set out for the
+fort at once; but it is almost impossible to drive
+Texas cattle during the night, for they are about
+half wild, anyway, and as easily stampeded as a
+herd of buffaloes. Under favorable circumstances
+two men who understand their business can take
+care of a herd of five hundred of them; but this
+stock which the captain had just recovered from
+the Indians had grown so unmanageable during
+the short time they had been in the possession of
+the raiders, who had pushed them ahead night and
+day at their greatest speed, that it took thirty well-mounted
+troopers to keep them within bounds.
+If they became quieted down during the night,
+the captain intended to set out for the fort with
+the main body of his men early the next morning,
+leaving a few of his troopers to assist Mr. Wentworth
+to drive the cattle in.</p>
+
+<p>"I say, corporal," exclaimed Carey as Bob led<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>
+his squad away, "where does Wentworth hang
+out? What mess does he grub with?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," answered Bob. "I saw him
+going toward the other end of the camp."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, such work as that won't do," continued
+Carey. "He'll go up there among those high-toned
+Grays or Blacks, and they will honey
+around those boys of his and make much of them,
+and cut us Brindles completely out of their good
+graces. They belong to us, and they ought to stay
+with us; don't you say so?"</p>
+
+<p>Bob replied that he did say so.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't we bring them into our mess?" asked
+Carey.</p>
+
+<p>"You can try. I'll take care of your horse if
+you want to make the attempt."</p>
+
+<p>Carey at once dismounted, and started back toward
+the upper end of the camp, and Bob rode
+on to find the place where his troop had staked
+out their horses. While he is looking for it we
+will explain what the words "Grays," "Blacks"
+and "Brindles," as used by Private Carey, meant.</p>
+
+<p>One of the first things to be done in a new regiment
+of cavalry, or in an old one that has just been
+remounted, is to "color the horses." We mean by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>
+this that the animals are divided into lots according
+to their color, the blacks being placed in one
+lot, the grays in another, the whites in another,
+and so on. After these divisions are made there
+are always some "off" horses, such as roans and
+browns, which are put into a lot by themselves
+and called the "brindles." The ranking captain
+then makes his choice of the colors. For the sake
+of illustration, we will suppose that he prefers to
+have his company mounted on black horses. He
+first takes the finest animal in the lot for his own
+use, his first lieutenant comes next, the second
+lieutenant next, the first sergeant next, and so on
+down through all the sergeants and corporals, each
+one selecting according to his rank. Then those
+of the privates who have proved themselves to be
+the best soldiers are called up one by one, and after
+they have made their selections the shirks and
+grumblers, like Bristow and Gus Robbins, have
+to take those that are left.</p>
+
+<p>The captain who is second in command makes the
+next choice of colors, and his horses are distributed
+in the same way. The whites are generally
+chosen next to the last, not because they are not
+as good or as handsome as the others, but for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>
+reason that it is harder work for the men to keep
+them clean, and in action they present conspicuous
+marks for the rifles of the enemy. "The brindles,"
+the horses of all colors and of no color at all to speak
+of, are the only ones left, and the lowest company
+commander must take them because he has no choice.
+He does not like them, and neither do his men, because
+the troop that is doomed to ride them cannot
+make so fine appearance on dress-parade as the others
+do, and for the reason that the Brindles are the butt
+of all the jokes that old soldiers can play upon one
+another. When we have said that we have said a
+good deal, for if there is any mischief that a lot of
+veterans will not think of when they have a leisure
+hour on their hands, we don't know what it is.</p>
+
+<p>When the horses were "colored" at Fort Lamoine
+the brindles fell to the lot of Lieutenant
+Earle, as he was the lowest company commander,
+all the others being captains. This was the troop
+to which Bob Owens belonged, and, in common
+with its other members, he had suffered from the
+practical jokes that had been played upon him
+by the more fortunate troopers. But of late these
+jokes were not as frequent as they had formerly
+been, for the "Brindles" had proved themselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>
+to be the best of soldiers. When their achievements
+were taken into consideration they led every
+troop in the garrison. They had gallantly borne
+their part in every duty they were called on to
+perform, their non-commissioned officers had invariably
+been successful when sent out in pursuit
+of deserters, and now one of them had done something
+for which the members of his regiment were
+glad to honor him in the way we have described.
+During the rest of Bob's life at Fort Lamoine but
+little was said about the despised Brindles; but if
+any trooper <i>did</i> forget himself and make disparaging
+remarks concerning them or their "ringed,
+streaked and striped" horses, some listening Brindle
+would promptly interrupt him with&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Bub, we didn't enlist to show ourselves
+off on dress-parade. When you Blacks" (or
+Grays or Chestnuts, as the case might be, the offending
+trooper being designated by the color of
+the horses on which his company was mounted)
+"have followed an Indian trail across the Staked
+Plains, and been burned up by an August sun, and
+had your mouths and throats filled so full of sand
+that you couldn't tell the truth for a whole month,
+and have surprised a party of hostiles in their camp,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>
+and rescued two prisoners alive and unharmed,&mdash;when
+you have done all that, you can talk; until
+then hold your yawp. That feat has never been
+accomplished but once in the Department of Texas,
+and then it was accomplished by <i>our</i> boys, the Brindles
+of the &mdash;&mdash;th Cavalry."</p>
+
+<p>Bob and his men were proud of that exploit, and,
+what was more, they did not mean to be robbed of
+any of the honor they had won. That was one
+reason why they wanted to bring Mr. Wentworth
+and his boys into their mess. They supposed they
+were going back to the fort with Captain Clinton's
+command, and they wanted to carry those boys
+through the gate themselves. But, as it happened,
+the captain had decided upon something else, and
+by that decision had unconsciously given Bob's
+lucky squad of Brindles an opportunity to add
+to their laurels. We shall see what use they made
+of it.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>MORE BAD LUCK FOR MR. WENTWORTH.</h3>
+
+
+<p>While Bob and his men were staking out
+their horses they were besieged by anxious
+Brindles who wanted to know just where they had
+been and what they had done during their absence.
+No incident connected with the experience of their
+successful comrades was deemed too trivial for their
+notice. Bob and the rest answered their questions
+as fast as they were able, and asked a good many
+in return. They learned that Captain Clinton had
+fallen in with the stolen cattle about one o'clock
+that morning, but the Indians they had hoped to
+find with them were not to be seen. The captain
+had pursued them so closely that they did not have
+time to drive the stock into the Staked Plains, to
+die there of thirst, and neither did they harass
+the column, as George said they would. Their
+force was too small to accomplish anything by it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>
+The captain had spent all the forenoon in gathering
+up the stock, and it was now feeding on the prairie
+close by, guarded by a large squad of troopers.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what's a fact, boys," said one of
+the Brindles. "This raid must have been a big
+thing, for just after you left us we struck the trail
+of a large drove that joined ours, and a little farther
+on we found another. But they were both older
+than our own, so the scout said, and the drove we
+followed was left behind as a sort of bait for us to
+swallow, while the main herd was driven off."</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you go on after the main herd?"
+asked Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"It would have been of no use. It had too
+much of a start; and besides, we have already
+got just as much on our hands as we can attend to.
+We have been all day gathering up the cattle we
+have got, and it is just all we can do to hold fast
+to them. The fellows up there must attend to the
+rest."</p>
+
+<p>By "the fellows up there" the troopers meant
+to indicate the cavalry attached to the several posts
+north of the Staked Plains.</p>
+
+<p>When Bob went back to the captain's head-quarters,
+George, being a privileged character, went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>
+with him. The officer questioned them closely
+in regard to their movements, took copious notes
+to assist him in making out his report to the colonel,
+and by the time he got through he came to
+the conclusion that the two young men deserved
+especial mention for the skill and courage they had
+exhibited. He rewarded them on the spot by giving
+them more work to do&mdash;some that was not supposed
+to have any danger in it, but which, nevertheless,
+gave them an opportunity to show whether
+the success that had attended them during their
+last scout was owing to good luck or good management.</p>
+
+<p>"I am more than satisfied, because you have accomplished
+more than I expected of you," said the
+captain as he put his note-book into his pocket.
+"As you will probably have some hard riding to
+do to-morrow, I will see that you are allowed a
+good night's rest."</p>
+
+<p>"Are we going back to the fort in the morning,
+sir?" asked George.</p>
+
+<p>Although Bob was fully as anxious as his companion
+was to know what the captain meant by
+saying that he and his squad would probably have
+some hard riding to do the next day, he never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>
+would have dared to ask such a question; and if
+he had, the officer, if he had made any reply at all,
+would very likely have told him that he would find
+out all about it in due time. But he expressed no
+surprise at George's inquisitiveness.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>I</i> am going back to fort," said he, "but you
+and the corporal will have to stay and help Mr.
+Wentworth with the cattle. You will be of more
+use to him, George, than half a dozen green hands,
+for you know how to drive stock and can act as instructor
+to the rest. You know where Holmes's
+ranche is, I suppose? Well, I shall want the corporal
+to stay with Mr. Wentworth until he gets
+there, and then you will have to guide the squad
+to the fort. If you should happen to meet any
+raiders on the way, why take them in," added the
+captain with a smile.&mdash;"Corporal, is Carey badly
+hurt?"</p>
+
+<p>"He grumbles a good deal, sir, but I think it is
+more from anger than pain."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you had better take a man in his place
+and let him go to the fort with us, so that the doctor
+can look at his arm," said the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you there is nothing like having friends
+at court," said Bob as he and George walked away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>
+"Until you came among us I didn't know that
+these officers could be so very friendly and good-natured.
+Why, George, if I knew the country as
+well as you do, and could get scout's pay, I would
+stay in the army all my life. We have got a sort
+of roving commission now, and I hope we can
+do something with it before we go back to the
+fort."</p>
+
+<p>Details for such duties as this which had just
+been assigned to Corporal Owens are about the
+only recreations that fall to the lot of a private
+soldier on the Plains, and they are eagerly sought
+after. Being almost always commanded by a sergeant
+or corporal who has proved to the satisfaction
+of his superiors that he can be trusted, the
+men never fail to enjoy themselves to the fullest
+extent. It is a great relief to them to be entirely
+out of reach of their Argus-eyed officers, who are
+so prompt to take them to task for the least neglect
+of duty.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the place where the Brindles
+were encamped, they found that Carey had been
+successful in his mission. He had brought Mr.
+Wentworth and his boys back with him, and the
+troopers were crowded about them listening to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span>
+Sheldon's account of his experience among the
+Kiowas.</p>
+
+<p>"Get all you can out of them, boys," exclaimed
+Bob, "for you will not see them after to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"Why won't we?" asked half a dozen troopers
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Because they are not going to the fort. They
+are going to Holmes's ranche, wherever that is, and
+we're going to see them safely there with the stock."</p>
+
+<p>"We? who?"</p>
+
+<p>"Our same old squad&mdash;all except Carey."</p>
+
+<p>The owner of that name, whose face had lighted
+up with pleasure, jumped to his feet with an angry
+exclamation. "What do you mean by that, corporal?"
+he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"It's no fault of mine, Carey," replied Bob.
+"The captain thinks you had better go to the fort,
+so that the doctor can look at your wound."</p>
+
+<p>Carey made no reply, but elbowed his way
+through the crowd and started toward the other
+end of the camp. In a few minutes he was standing
+in front of Captain Clinton with his hand to
+his cap.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, Carey?" asked that officer after he
+had returned the salute.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"My respects to you, sir," answered the trooper,
+"and, if I might take the liberty, I'd like to know
+why I am to be left behind while the rest of our
+squad goes off on a picnic with them cattle?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you are wounded," said the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Just a little scratch, sir," protested the trooper.
+"But even if I had no right arm at all, I could
+ride and shoot, and when it came to yelling I'd be
+there too."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good. If you think you can stand it,
+go on."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir. I knew you wouldn't go back
+on old Carey. I've been in every muss my troop
+has been in, and nobody ever hinted that I didn't
+do my duty."</p>
+
+<p>The captain nodded his head and waved his hand
+in token of dismissal, and the trooper hurried away.</p>
+
+<p>Up to this time George Ackerman had always
+messed with the officers, but that night he took
+supper with Bob's squad, because both he and they
+considered that he belonged to it. During the
+progress of the meal he reminded the corporal that
+the latter had promised to tell him a story.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes," said Bob, after thinking a moment.
+"I was telling you, I believe, that if Mr. Went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span>worth
+killed that Indian he would be arrested and
+tried for murder. Well, that's an Indian's idea of
+justice, and it seems to be the agents' idea too.
+The Indians think they have a perfect right to
+kill and scalp whenever they feel like it, but if a
+white man kills one of them it is an awful thing.
+If they can't get hold of the man who did the
+shooting or any of his relations, they look to the
+government for pay. On a certain occasion a
+scouting-party of ten men was surprised and utterly
+wiped out. The surprise was so complete
+that every one of the party was killed at the first
+fire, with the exception of a corporal, who had just
+time to knock over two of the reds before he too
+was shot. Shortly afterward a peace was patched
+up, and a band of braves came in, bringing with
+them an old woman for whom they asked a government
+pension because her two sons had fallen
+in battle. Inquiries were made, and it turned out
+that these two sons were the very Indians who had
+been killed by the corporal. What do you think
+of such impudence?"</p>
+
+<p>George did not know what to think of it, and
+probably the reader doesn't either; but this very
+incident is on record.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>By daylight the next morning the camp was
+deserted. The main body of the troops was riding
+rapidly toward Fort Lamoine, and a few miles
+behind it came the herd which Captain Clinton
+had recaptured. It was moving leisurely along in
+front of Mr. Wentworth and George, who controlled
+it with less difficulty than the rest of the
+squad would have experienced in managing a dozen
+cattle. Behind them came Bob and his men, with
+the two boys, who were mounted on a couple of
+their father's horses which had been found with
+the herd. George's quick eye had already noticed
+that there were at least half a dozen different
+brands among the cattle, and he told himself that
+when the animals bearing these brands had been
+delivered up to their lawful owners, Mr. Wentworth
+would have very little stock left.</p>
+
+<p>Bob and his troopers enjoyed this "picnic" by
+being lazy. They had nothing to do worth speaking
+of but to follow along in the rear of the herd
+and talk to the boys, the most of the work being
+performed by George and Mr. Wentworth, who
+during the first part of the journey managed the
+cattle both day and night. They offered to assist
+in any way they could, but the practised herders<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span>
+did not need them, and besides, they were afraid
+to trust them.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to lose these steers and horses
+again, after all the trouble I have had to get
+them," Mr. Wentworth always replied. "I know
+you are good soldiers, or else you couldn't have
+got my boys back for me; but you can't herd
+cattle. The least awkward movement on your
+part would send them galloping back toward the
+Staked Plains again. Wait until they get over
+their fright, and then you can try your hands at
+guarding them during the night."</p>
+
+<p>On the afternoon of the fifth day Bob noticed
+that George's field-glass was often brought into
+requisition both by himself and Mr. Wentworth,
+and on riding forward to inquire the cause of it,
+he was informed that they were looking for Mr.
+Taylor's ranche.</p>
+
+<p>"And who is Mr. Taylor?" was Bob's next
+question.</p>
+
+<p>"He is one of Mr. Wentworth's neighbors who
+was raided by the Indians. We know it, for we
+have some of his cattle with us; but whether or
+not they did him any damage beyond stealing his
+stock, we don't know; and we can't tell, either,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>
+until we find his house if it is still standing, or
+the ruins of it if it has been destroyed."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we must be getting pretty near our journey's
+end," said Bob, whose arms and shoulders
+began to ache when he thought of the tedious routine
+of drill and guard-duty upon which he must
+enter as soon as he returned to the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what you mean by <i>near</i>," replied
+George. "The fort is all of a hundred and fifty
+miles from here, and we are not going toward it.
+We are going toward Holmes's ranche; and even
+if we have the best of luck, it will take us two
+weeks to get there."</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds better," said Bob, who was greatly
+relieved. "When you spoke of Mr. Wentworth's
+neighbors, I was afraid that our pleasure-excursion
+was about to be brought to an end, for he doesn't
+live so <i>very</i> far from the fort, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"It's just over there," shouted Mr. Wentworth
+at this moment. "I see cattle, and that proves
+that the raiders didn't scoop Taylor as they did
+me. Now look sharp; we've got rounding out
+enough to do already."</p>
+
+<p>"What does he mean by that?" asked Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"He means that we mustn't allow our cattle to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span>
+mix in with Mr. Taylor's, for if we do we shall
+have to round them all out again. By 'rounding
+out' we mean separating the different herds from
+each other; and that is something that none but
+good herdsmen can do. It requires skill and a big
+stock of patience, I tell you. Just let a few green
+hands try it, and see how much they would make
+at it. Why, they would scare the cattle so that
+they would run clear out of the State."</p>
+
+<p>Although Mr. Wentworth had declared that Mr.
+Taylor's ranche was "just over there," our friends
+did not reach it that day, nor until late in the
+afternoon of the next. Before they got there they
+knew just what Mr. Taylor's experience with the
+Kiowa raiders had been, for they had passed two
+or three of his herds, whose keepers had told them
+all about it. The Indians had suddenly made
+their appearance, coming from the south, and driving
+before them a large number of cattle; and although
+they had not come within five miles of
+Mr. Taylor's ranche, they had picked up one of
+his small herds which happened to be in their
+path.</p>
+
+<p>Our friends camped that night close by Mr.
+Taylor's ranche, which proved to be a perfect<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>
+little fort. It was built of heavy stone, was well
+supplied with provisions, and defended by five
+stalwart fellows who were armed with Winchester
+rifles. The raiders would have had a nice time
+of it if they had come there. The owner listened
+in great surprise to Mr. Wentworth's story, made
+much of his boys, and would not let him and
+George "round out" the stock that bore his brand.</p>
+
+<p>"You're welcome to the steers, neighbor," said
+he. "I've got more left than I can take care of
+if the Kiowas bounce me as earnestly as they did
+you, and you will need them to help you start a
+new herd."</p>
+
+<p>This same thing was repeated by every one of
+the half a dozen other ranchemen to whom Mr.
+Wentworth offered to surrender their stock. They
+all sympathized with him, and wanted to aid him
+by every means in their power. The result was,
+that our friends arrived within one day's march of
+their journey's end with just as many cattle as they
+had when they left the Staked Plains. Although
+Mr. Wentworth had been "completely cleaned
+out," he was still worth something like twenty
+thousand dollars.</p>
+
+<p>George and his party made their last camp a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>
+short distance from the cabin of a squatter, who
+rode over to see them during the evening. He
+went home about ten o'clock, and George and his
+companions lay down on their blankets, leaving
+the herd to the care of four mounted troopers.
+The latter, who during the journey had exhibited
+the greatest eagerness to learn something of the
+mysteries of cattle-herding, had so far progressed
+in knowledge and skill as to be able to stand guard
+at night, and to give George and Mr. Wentworth
+an opportunity to obtain the rest of which they
+began to stand so much in need. About midnight
+George mounted his horse and rode around the
+herd to assure himself that everything was just
+as it should be. He went on horseback, because
+everybody rides while working about Texas cattle.
+If a man should venture among them on foot during
+the daytime, his life would be in danger; and
+if he went around them at night, he would probably
+stampede the whole herd.</p>
+
+<p>"All serene," said Loring, who was the first
+guard George encountered during his rounds.
+"The moon shines so brightly that I can see the
+movements of every steer in the drove."</p>
+
+<p>"If we were a little nearer the river perhaps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span>
+things wouldn't be quite so serene," answered
+George. "The Mexicans take just such a night
+as this for their raids."</p>
+
+<p>About an hour after George had retired to his
+blanket Loring noticed that the cattle began to
+show signs of uneasiness. Those that were standing
+up began to move about, those that were lying
+down arose and moved about with them, and presently
+the whole herd was in motion. The cattle
+did not attempt to run away, but walked restlessly
+about, as if they were unable to find a place that
+suited them.</p>
+
+<p>"Suke, thing! suke, thing!" said Loring coaxingly.</p>
+
+<p>The travelled reader would have said at once
+that Loring was a Southerner; and if he could
+have heard Phillips on the other side of the cattle
+trying to soothe them with "Co-boss! co-boss!"
+he would have said that Phillips was from the
+North. But the cattle did not understand either
+of them, or if they did they paid no attention to
+them. Their restlessness increased every moment,
+and finally Loring, good soldier though he was, deserted
+his post and started for camp as fast as he
+could make his horse walk.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ackerman," said he in an excited voice, "get
+up. There is something wrong with those cattle."</p>
+
+<p>George was on his feet in an instant. One
+glance at the herd was enough.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say there was something wrong!" he
+exclaimed. "How long has this thing been going
+on?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not more than five minutes."</p>
+
+<p>"Which way are they looking," continued
+George.</p>
+
+<p>"Every way, but the most of them keep their
+heads in that direction," said Loring, waving his
+arm toward the south.</p>
+
+<p>"Call everybody in camp while I speak to Bob
+and Mr. Wentworth. No noise now. I am afraid
+we are going to have trouble."</p>
+
+<p>In less than two minutes all the troopers had
+been aroused, and George was holding an earnest
+consultation with Mr. Wentworth and the corporal.
+"I've seen cattle act that way before," said he,
+speaking as rapidly as he could make his tongue
+move, for time was precious; "and if we were a
+little nearer the river I could easily tell what is
+the matter with them; but I never heard of the
+Greasers coming so far into the country as this, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span>
+it may be nothing but nervousness that's troubling
+them. My advice would be to mount the men and
+move them quietly in line on the north side of the
+herd, and perhaps by making such a show of numbers
+we can keep them within bounds until they
+are quieted down.&mdash;What do you say, Mr. Wentworth?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is the only thing that can be done," replied
+Mr. Wentworth, who seemed to be greatly excited
+and alarmed; "and even that is a slim chance.&mdash;Make
+haste, corporal. Do all you can for me, for
+if I lose this herd I shall be ruined, sure enough."</p>
+
+<p>"Catch up!" commanded Bob.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here," said George, seizing his friend by
+the shoulder and speaking with all the earnestness
+he could throw into his tones: "if you get in line
+in front of those cattle, and they start to run toward
+you, don't try to stop them, for you can't do
+it, any more than we could stop those buffaloes the
+other night. Run before them, and gradually draw
+off to the right or left of them, and you will get
+safely off; otherwise they will certainly run over
+you. But I am afraid it is too late to do anything,"
+added George as he noted the increasing
+restlessness of the cattle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is too late! it is too late!" exclaimed Mr.
+Wentworth, rubbing his hands nervously together.
+"There they go!"</p>
+
+<p>Even as he spoke a noise like the rumbling of
+distant thunder sounded in their ears, and instantly
+the whole herd made off at the top of its speed.
+Looking over the mass of horns and tails that was
+tossed wildly in the air, the troopers were horrified
+to see Phillips standing directly in front of it.
+Being fully determined to do his duty to the utmost,
+the brave fellow sat in his saddle, swinging
+his arms about his head, and no doubt shouting at
+the top of his voice to stop the advance of the
+frightened herd, which was bearing down upon
+him with the resistless power of an avalanche.</p>
+
+<p>"The man is crazy!" cried George in great
+alarm. Then, raising both hands to his face and
+using them as a speaking-trumpet, he yelled, with
+all the power of his lungs,</p>
+
+<p>"Run! run for your life!"</p>
+
+<p>Phillips afterward said that he did not hear what
+George said to him&mdash;in fact, he couldn't hear anything
+but the noise of those hoofs&mdash;but, seeing that
+if he remained where he was his death was certain,
+he wheeled his horse and fled with the speed of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>
+wind. The last his friends saw of him was as he
+dashed over the top of a ridge, with the stampeded
+cattle close behind him. When they were all out
+of sight and the rumble of their hoofs had died
+away in the distance, the troopers turned to look
+at Mr. Wentworth. He stood with his hands in
+his pockets gazing disconsolately in the direction
+in which the herd had disappeared, but had nothing
+to say.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, here's a go!" whispered Bob, giving
+George a nudge in the ribs with his elbow.
+"What am I to do? This is something Captain
+Clinton didn't think to provide for, isn't it? I
+was ordered to go to Holmes's ranche with Mr.
+Wentworth, but I wasn't told to follow up and
+collect his cattle if they were stampeded."</p>
+
+<p>"You mustn't think of following them up,"
+said George decidedly. "There is no man in the
+world who could get that same herd together again,
+for it will join others as soon as it gets over its
+fright; and how could we tell these cattle from
+others bearing the same brand? They are gone,
+and that's all there is of it. You must mount at
+once and see if you can find anything of Phillips."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"All right!&mdash;Mr. Wentworth," said Bob, "we
+are very sorry for the loss you have sustained, but
+we have done all we could for you."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it, corporal, and I am very grateful to
+you and to the captain, who was kind enough to
+send you with me. Such things as these will happen
+sometimes, in spite of everything. Now I
+hardly know what to do."</p>
+
+<p>Neither would anybody else have known what
+to do under the same circumstances. Mr. Wentworth
+had no home, no property except his rifle
+and the horses he and his boys rode, no work to
+do, and but little to eat in his haversack. It was
+a trying situation for a man who but a few days
+before had been worth a fortune, and almost any
+one would have been disheartened.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what you can do," said George.
+"You can easily find your way to the Ackerman
+settlement, and if you go there and give Mr. Gilbert
+a note of introduction which I will write for
+you, he will take care of you until you can decide
+upon something."</p>
+
+<p>George did not feel at liberty to tell Mr. Wentworth
+all he had on his mind. As soon as he returned
+to the fort he intended to write to his guar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span>dian,
+asking him if he might furnish Mr. Wentworth
+with a sufficient number of cattle from his
+own herds to give the impoverished man a new
+start in life. Of course Mr. Wentworth had a few
+cattle of his own among those that had just run off,
+but it would take some time to gather them up;
+and as he would not want to be troubled with his
+boys while he was engaged in the work, George intended
+to ask Mr. Gilbert to take care of them
+during their father's absence, and to lend Mr.
+Wentworth a few good herdsmen to assist him in
+getting his stock together. While he was thinking
+about it, and before Mr. Wentworth could thank
+him for his generous offer, something happened
+which told them very plainly that the stampede
+that had just taken place was not owing to the
+nervousness of the cattle, but to the presence of
+those of whom George Ackerman had every reason
+to stand in fear.</p>
+
+<p>Their attention was first attracted by some unusual
+sound. They could not have told what it
+was or from which direction it came, but they all
+heard it, and waited for it to be repeated, that they
+might locate and define it. There was a moment's
+silence, and then a chorus of wild yells arose on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>
+the night air, accompanied by the rapid discharge
+of firearms. The troopers looked at one another
+in blank amazement, and then at George, who was
+not long in assigning a cause for the disturbance.</p>
+
+<p>"The Greasers are attacking the squatter," he
+exclaimed; and he was quite as much astonished
+to be called upon to say it as the troopers were to
+hear it. It must be a strong and daring band that
+would venture so far into the country, and almost
+involuntarily George whispered the name of Fletcher.
+Bob was quick to decide upon his course. He
+knew just what Captain Clinton would expect of
+him if he were there.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Wentworth," said he, "we must lend that
+man a helping hand. As you can't go with us on
+account of your boys, you will have to look out
+for yourself and them."</p>
+
+<p>"And I am just the man who can do it," replied
+Mr. Wentworth. "Good-bye and good luck
+to you! Shoot hard, and shoot to hit."</p>
+
+<p>"How cool and confident he is! I wish I had
+half his courage," thought Bob as he ordered his
+men into their saddles, following it up with the
+commands, "Forward! Trot! gallop!"</p>
+
+<p>The troopers fell into line as they moved off, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span>
+a few yards in advance of them rode George and
+Bob. The former could easily have taken the lead
+if he had desired to do so, but, knowing that he did
+not command the squad, he curbed his impatience as
+well as he could and kept close by his friend's side.
+The troopers unslung their carbines, George made
+ready his Winchester, while Bob, who believed as
+firmly in the virtues of "cold steel" as did the
+gallant officer whom he afterward accompanied on
+his last memorable march, drew his sabre. All on
+a sudden the firing ceased, and when the troopers
+rode over the brow of a ridge a few minutes later,
+they saw a thin blue smoke arising from the squatter's
+cabin, and that told them more than they wanted
+to know. George was both astonished and enraged
+at the sight&mdash;astonished to know that the
+raiders would stop during one of their marauding
+expeditions, when haste was so necessary, to attack
+and burn so humble a dwelling as the abode of the
+squatter, and enraged to see that they had been successful
+enough to do even that. There was a crowd
+of Mexicans around the building, and others with
+horses were standing close by.</p>
+
+<p>"Gobble the horses, Bob," said George, who was
+so highly excited that he could scarcely speak, "and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>
+then you can ride down and capture the raiders at
+your leisure."</p>
+
+<p>Bob caught the idea in an instant. Turning in
+his saddle, he waved his sabre over his head, but
+instead of giving the command "Charge!" he effectually
+closed the mouths of his followers, who
+had already opened their lips and drawn in a long
+breath preparatory to giving vent to their favorite
+yell, by saying in a low tone, "Silence!"</p>
+
+<p>Bob did not know whether or not this order
+had ever before been given during a charge, and,
+what was more, he did not care. His object was
+to cut the men who were lingering about the burning
+cabin off from their horses, and in order to do
+that he must get as close as he could to them before
+he was discovered.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p>
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+<h3>CONCLUSION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The men about the cabin were so engrossed in
+their work of destruction, and the horse-guards
+were so intent on watching them, that Bob's advance
+was not discovered until he and his followers
+were within less than two hundred yards of the
+cabin. So entirely unexpected was their appearance
+that for a moment the cattle-thieves were
+struck motionless with astonishment; then they
+recovered their power of action, and those who
+were on foot made a rush for their horses. Some
+succeeded in reaching them, but others did not.
+Two or three of them fell before the carbines of
+the troopers, who opened a hot fire as soon as they
+saw that they were discovered, and the horse-guards,
+believing that the attacking party was backed up by
+a large force of soldiers which was close at hand,
+instantly put spurs to their nags and galloped off,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span>
+taking the loose horses with them and leaving their
+companions to look out for themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"Throw down and throw up, Greasers!" commanded
+Corporal Owens as he dashed up to the
+cabin swinging his sabre over his head; and the
+order, which meant, "Throw down your weapons
+and throw up your hands," was obeyed by five
+sullen fellows, who muttered Spanish oaths between
+their teeth and looked mad enough to do
+almost anything.</p>
+
+<p>There was no fight at all. If there had been
+a shot fired at the troopers, they didn't know it.
+The party that had gone off with the horses outnumbered
+Bob's, and could, beyond a doubt, have
+driven them off the field if they had only thought
+so; but their surprise was complete, and, more than
+that, they were demoralized. The presence of the
+troopers they regarded as part of a pre-concerted
+plan to cut them off from the river, and that
+frightened them more than Bob's sudden onslaught.</p>
+
+<p>"Still another feather for your cap, Corporal
+Owens," said George, after he and Loring and a
+few others had taken a shot or two apiece at the
+retreating cattle-thieves, "and nobody hurt on our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span>
+side, either. Now I&mdash;What are you doing here?
+Is this the way you keep your promise?"</p>
+
+<p>These questions were addressed to one of the
+prisoners, who took off his sombrero and scratched
+his head as if he were trying to stir up his ideas so
+that he could make some reply to these peremptory
+interrogations.</p>
+
+<p>"Springer," continued George, slowly, "what are
+you doing here? Where's the squatter?"</p>
+
+<p>"In there," replied the cattle-thief, jerking his
+head toward the cabin, which was now fairly ablaze
+and sending out so much heat that the troopers
+were obliged to draw away from it. "He never
+would have touched him, Fletcher wouldn't, if he
+had kept in the house an' left us alone; but he
+plumped one of us over when we fust came up;
+an' this here is the consequence," added Springer,
+nodding his head toward the cabin again.</p>
+
+<p>George knew why it was that the cattle-thieves
+had stopped to destroy the squatter's house. He
+had killed one of their number, and they, in turn,
+had killed him after a hard fight, and it was now
+too late to recover his body or to save a single
+thing the cabin contained.</p>
+
+<p>"So this is the fellow who twice befriended you,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>
+is it?" said Bob, who was surprised to hear George
+call one of the prisoners by name. "Don't you
+think it would be a good plan to chuck him into
+the fire too?"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>I</i> do," said Loring fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>Springer drew a little nearer to George for protection.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't have any hand in it," said he earnestly&mdash;"honor
+bright, I didn't. I can explain
+everything, so that you can see that I am not to
+blame for being here."</p>
+
+<p>"Carey," exclaimed Bob, "go back to Mr.
+Wentworth and give him his choice between taking
+care of himself and going to the fort with us.
+Hurry up, now.&mdash;If I only had a spade or two, I
+would make these prisoners bury their dead comrades."</p>
+
+<p>"Springer," said George, "can these friends of
+yours understand English?"</p>
+
+<p>The cattle-thief replied that they could not; they
+were all Mexicans.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to hear it, for I want to ask you a
+few questions before you explain how you came to
+be here. Did Fletcher have his whole band with
+him to-night?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Not half of 'em," was the reply; "he had only
+about thirty men."</p>
+
+<p>"How many has he in all?"</p>
+
+<p>"Two hundred or so."</p>
+
+<p>"Does he still make his head-quarters at the
+Don's ranche?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but look here, Mr. George," said Springer
+earnestly; "if you are goin' over there after him,
+be mighty careful. You know what sort of a looking
+place that ranche is&mdash;all stone, you know&mdash;an'
+them fellows is all old soldiers, an' they'll fight
+awful."</p>
+
+<p>George nodded his head as if to say that he
+knew all about that, and spent some minutes in
+questioning the prisoner in regard to the road that
+led to the ranche, while Bob sat by on his horse
+and listened. By the time George had heard all
+he wanted to know, and Springer had told how he
+had been arrested by the officer at Eagle Pass and
+rescued by Fletcher, Carey came back.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Wentworth will take care of himself,"
+reported the trooper. "He says that if he went to
+the fort he would have to come back to Holmes's
+ranche, anyway&mdash;he is going to make his home
+there for a while, for he and Holmes were boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>
+together&mdash;and so he might just as well go there in
+the first place, and save time and travelling. He
+sent his best wishes to everybody, and hopes we
+will catch all the scoundrels who wiped out the
+squatter."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we could," said Bob, facing about in his
+saddle and gazing in the direction in which the
+thieves had retreated; "but we have five prisoners
+to take care of, and so our hands are tied."</p>
+
+<p>"You just ought to have seen him, corporal,"
+continued Carey. "He had thrown his three
+horses in a sort of triangle by tying their feet
+together and tripping them up in some way, and
+there he lay with his boys behind his living breastworks,
+all ready for a fight. Grit to the last,
+wasn't he? When I asked him why he hadn't
+mounted and dug out as soon as we left, he said
+that that wouldn't have been safe, for he might
+have run right in among the Greasers before he
+knew it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, boys," said Bob, gazing sorrowfully at
+the glowing bed of coals that covered the site
+of the squatter's cabin, "there is nothing more
+we can do here, and so we will make a break
+for the fort."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Look here, corporal," said one of the troopers:
+"if you are going to make us carry double with
+those dirty Greasers, I am going to kick."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you worry," answered Bob. "I shouldn't
+do it myself, and of course I sha'n't ask you to do
+it. They'll have to walk.&mdash;Springer, draw these
+Mexican gentlemen up in line."</p>
+
+<p>Springer gave the necessary order in Spanish,
+and it was sullenly obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>"Just remind them, Springer, that if they don't
+step faster than that somebody may hasten their
+movements with a prod from the point of a sabre,"
+said Bob angrily. "We are in no humor to stand
+a great deal of nonsense from them. Now, right-face
+them; that's better.&mdash;Fall in around them,
+squad, four on each flank and four in the rear.
+Forward, march!&mdash;Now, George, which way is
+the fort from here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Off there," replied George, "but I am going
+to take you to the river-trail."</p>
+
+<p>"What for?"</p>
+
+<p>"So that you can get something to eat."</p>
+
+<p>If they had been a little farther down the river,
+say about twenty-five miles, George would have
+taken them to his own house. It would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>
+given him no little pleasure to entertain these
+companions of a long, toilsome and dangerous
+scout under his own roof; but of course he could
+not think of leading them out of their way in
+order to do it. They found plenty to eat after
+they reached the river-trail, but the ranchemen at
+whose houses they halted could give them no
+information concerning the raiders. They had
+been on that side of the river, and had gone
+back empty-handed, and that was all the ranchemen
+knew about the matter. This made it plain
+that Bob's gallant dash had not been without its
+effect. It had frightened the thieves so thoroughly
+that they dared not stop to pick up any of the
+cattle they found in their way.</p>
+
+<p>Bob and his troopers camped that night near
+a farm-house whose owner was so delighted to see
+the five prisoners they had brought with them, and
+to learn of the success that had attended them ever
+since Captain Clinton sent them off by themselves,
+that he insisted on giving them a seat at his table.
+The next morning he gave them a breakfast; but
+the first squad who went in&mdash;which included Bob
+and George&mdash;had scarcely taken possession of their
+chairs when one of the sentries was heard calling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span>
+lustily for the corporal of the guard. Bob excused
+himself and ran out, only to return again almost
+immediately and startle everybody with the order,
+"Boots and saddles!" George jumped up from the
+table, wondering what was the matter. When he
+reached the porch he found out. About a mile up
+the trail was a long column of blue-coats coming
+down at a sweeping trot.</p>
+
+<p>"They are our boys, and they are after the
+Greasers," exclaimed Bob, as George came down
+the steps. "It's lucky we are here, for you are
+the very man they want if they are going across
+the river.&mdash;Catch up, boys, and fall in just as we
+do when we are on the march, only face to the
+left, so as to front the column when it comes
+up."</p>
+
+<p>If we have a reader who is familiar with cavalry
+tactics, he will have discovered, long before
+this time, that Corporal Owens was not at all particular
+as to the orders he gave, provided he could
+make his men act to suit him. When in the
+presence of his superiors he always gave the
+proper commands, in order to save himself from
+the reproof that would have promptly followed
+the slightest departure from the tactics; but when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span>
+he was in command of a scouting-party he was
+decidedly free and easy. Even an old trooper
+might have been puzzled over this last order, but
+the men who had marched with him so many
+miles were quick to catch his meaning and prompt
+to carry out his wishes; so that when the whole
+available cavalry force of Fort Lamoine, numbering
+two hundred men, came sweeping by the
+farm-house a few minutes later, with Captain Clinton
+riding at the head, they were astonished to see
+Bob's little squad drawn up in a hollow square,
+with their prisoners in the centre. Of late there
+had been a good many anxious inquiries made
+concerning these very men, and here they were,
+safe and sound, and, wonderful to tell, with more
+prisoners to show what good soldiers they were.</p>
+
+<p>"Three cheers for the 'Brindles,' the old reliables!"
+shouted the sergeant-major; and the yells
+that arose from two hundred pairs of strong lungs
+could have been heard a long distance away.</p>
+
+<p>George lifted his cap in response to a nod of recognition
+from Captain Clinton, and in obedience to
+a sign from him rode over to his side; but Bob
+and his men sat in their saddles as stiff as so
+many posts, looking straight to the front. When<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>
+the next call for cheers came, however, it almost
+knocked Bob over.</p>
+
+<p>"Three cheers for Sergeant Owens!" shouted a
+"Brindle;" and then came three more yells, followed
+by a "tiger" as loud and piercing as an
+Indian war-whoop. During his absence Bob had
+been promoted in general orders for gallantry, his
+pay as sergeant to begin on the day he rescued Mr.
+Wentworth's boys from the hands of the Kiowas.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the bugle sounded, and the column
+came to a halt. The officers at once fell out and
+crowded around George, who, in as few words as
+possible, told Captain Clinton what Bob's squad
+had been doing since the captain left them back
+there on the borders of the Staked Plains. The
+officers were all very much pleased, especially Lieutenant
+Earle, who for a moment threw off his dignity
+and rode up to thank the members of the
+squad which had brought so much credit upon
+the troop he commanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Sergeant," said he, extending his hand&mdash;which
+Bob accepted after running his own hand through
+his sword-knot and dropping his sabre by his side&mdash;"I
+congratulate you and all your men. You
+have done well."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Bob managed to stammer out something about
+being glad to have pleased the lieutenant, and the
+latter, after ordering them to sheathe their sabres,
+went on to tell how he had followed the Indians
+in his front until his men and horses were nearly
+exhausted and almost dead for want of water, and
+how he had finally returned to the fort a day behind
+the column, utterly disgusted with his want
+of success, to find that some of his own troop had
+carried off the honors of the scout. He was proud
+to command such men.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Captain Clinton and George were
+engaged in an earnest consultation. The former
+told the young scout that he been sent out to
+punish the raiders who had just recrossed the river,
+and that he was going to do it, too. He was going
+to drive them out of their stronghold, and George
+must show him the way to it. His men had already
+had their coffee, but as George and the rest
+of Bob's squad had had none, they might stay there
+at the farm-house until they had eaten the breakfast
+that had been prepared for them, and then ride
+on rapidly and overtake the column, which would
+move down the trail at a trot. This having been
+decided upon, a squad was made up of details from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span>
+the different companies to take charge of the prisoners,
+and the command given to a corporal, who
+was instructed to take them to the fort. Then the
+column rode on, the corporal marched off with
+his captives, and Bob and his troopers went back
+to the farm-house to eat their breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>During the meal George Ackerman, who had
+thus far been one of the gayest of the party, was
+very silent and thoughtful. It was almost impossible
+for any one to get a word out of him. His
+face was as white as a sheet, but although everybody
+noticed it, Bob Owens was the only one who
+could account for it. When they had satisfied
+their appetites they went out to hold the horses,
+so that the rest of the squad could come in, and
+George and the new sergeant, who was not a little
+elated over his unexpected promotion, led their
+nags off on one side, so that they could converse
+without being overheard.</p>
+
+<p>"I know just how it is," said Bob, "for I have
+felt so ever since Captain Clinton ordered me to
+follow up that trail. When you know that a good
+many lives besides your own depend upon a decision
+you may have to make in an instant of
+time, I tell you it is rather trying to a fellow's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span>
+nerves. I used to envy the colonel and all the
+other high officers in the garrison, but I wouldn't
+give up my little sergeant's berth for double the
+money they make. There's too much responsibility
+connected with the positions they hold."</p>
+
+<p>George told himself that that was just the objection
+to his own position. He began to see that
+being a scout meant something. There were two
+hundred men in Captain Clinton's command, and
+what if they should all be sacrificed by some blunder
+on his part?</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the rest of the troopers had eaten
+breakfast, and Bob had thanked the farmer for his
+hospitality, the troopers sprang into their saddles
+and galloped after the column. When they overtook
+it George rode up beside the captain, and the
+Brindles, without creating the least confusion, fell
+into their usual places&mdash;all except Bob Owens, who
+did not belong in the ranks any longer. Being second
+sergeant, his place was in the rear of his company,
+"opposite the left file of the rear four;" and
+that was the position he fell into as soon as he had
+reported the arrival of his squad to the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Ackerman," said Captain Clinton as the
+boy galloped up beside him, "we are in your hands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>
+We want to go to the nearest ford, and we don't
+want to get there before dark."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir. If you will move the column
+in that direction," said George, indicating a 'right
+oblique,' "you will cut off twenty miles, and besides,
+you can walk all the way, and save your
+horses for a rapid eighteen-mile ride that must
+come as soon as we cross the river."</p>
+
+<p>We need not dwell upon the incidents of that
+day's march, or enlarge upon the feeling of suspense
+that George Ackerman experienced during
+that "rapid eighteen-mile ride" to which he had
+referred. It will be enough to say that they crossed
+the ford just after dark in safety; that George,
+without the least difficulty, found the narrow road
+that led from the river to Don Miguel's ranche;
+that at his suggestion the column marched "right
+by twos," which changed the troopers from four to
+two abreast, Captain Clinton and George riding at
+the head; that they moved as silently as possible,
+so as not to alarm any of the people living along
+the route, and rapidly, in order to reach the ranche
+before the cattle-thieves could receive notice of
+their approach; and that at the end of two hours
+they galloped into the valley and saw Fletcher's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span>
+stronghold in plain view before them. A single
+glance at it showed them that they had arrived
+just in the nick of time. The courtyard was
+lighted up with lanterns, excited men were moving
+to and fro, loud voices were heard shouting out
+words of command, and the whole interior of the
+building presented a scene of the wildest commotion.
+Some watchful friend had got ahead of the column
+and warned the thieves, and they were gathering
+up their plunder preparatory to beating a hasty retreat.
+They were on the watch too, for the column
+had scarcely made its appearance when a sentry
+called out, "Who is it?" (equivalent to "Who goes
+there?"), following up his challenge with the cry
+of "The Americans! the Americans!"</p>
+
+<p>George afterward said that he never had a very
+clear idea of what happened during the next few
+minutes. He remembered that he heard the bugle
+sound a charge; that he dashed through the arched
+stone gateway at headlong speed side by side with
+Captain Clinton; and that the rapid discharge of
+firearms rang in his ears, accompanied by the cries
+of the cattle-thieves, who fled in every direction,
+and such cheers and yells from the troopers as he
+had never heard before. When he came to himself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span>
+his horse, which seemed to enter fully into the spirit
+of the matter, was dancing about in front of a
+pile of forage that filled one end of the courtyard.
+When George saw it he threw himself from his
+saddle and caught up a lantern.</p>
+
+<p>"I have seen the inside of this hole for the last
+time," said he to himself. "If Fletcher lives to
+make a prisoner of me, he shall not bring me to
+this ranche, and neither shall he harbor here to
+raid on my stock."</p>
+
+<p>As these thoughts passed through the boy's mind
+he smashed the glass globe of the lantern with one
+savage kick, and picking up the lamp applied the
+flame to the pile of forage. He set it on fire in
+half a dozen different places, and then turned and
+threw the lamp into one of the nearest rooms, which
+seemed to be well filled with something. When he
+had done that he was frightened. What if it was
+powder in there? But, fortunately, it wasn't. It
+was some combustible matter that blazed up fiercely,
+sending huge volumes of flames out of the door
+and lighting up the courtyard, which was now occupied
+only by American troopers. The cattle-thieves
+had behaved just as they did when Bob
+Owens so gallantly attacked a portion of their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span>
+number at the squatter's cabin. They fled in hot
+haste, making their escape by the roof, by doors
+whose existence George never dreamed of, and by
+squeezing themselves through the narrow openings
+that served the ranche in the place of windows.
+And, strange to tell, there was no one injured on
+either side. Having satisfied himself on this point
+by searching all the rooms to make sure that there
+were no dead or wounded men in them, the captain
+ordered his troopers into the saddle and departed
+as rapidly and silently as he had come. George
+looked over his shoulder now and then, and when
+he saw the thick clouds of smoke that arose in the
+air growing thicker and blacker, he told himself
+that he had made sure work of the old ranche, and
+that it would never serve the cattle-thieves for a
+harboring-place again.</p>
+
+<p>Of course there was an "investigation" made by
+the Mexican government, but if it ever amounted
+to anything, George never heard of it. The expedition
+certainly had a moral effect, and no doubt that
+was just what the department commander wanted.
+A body of Mexican troops was ordered to the river
+almost immediately, and after that the raiders were
+by no means as bold as they had formerly been.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span>
+They crossed the Rio Grande now and then lower
+down, toward Eagle Pass, but the troopers there
+were on the alert, and after they had thrashed the
+thieves a few times on their own ground, and some
+of their leaders had been arrested by the Mexican
+authorities, the Texans began to feel comparatively
+safe.</p>
+
+<p>George Ackerman was kept actively employed
+at the fort much longer than he thought he would
+be when he first went there. By order of Colonel
+Brown he crossed the river on several occasions disguised
+in his Mexican suit, and he always brought
+back some information concerning the raiders; and
+once he came so near being captured by his old
+enemy, Fletcher, that it was a wonder how he escaped.
+But long before this happened Gus Robbins
+had received his discharge as a minor, and
+gone back to Foxboro', a wiser if not a happier
+boy; Bristow had found his way into the military
+prison at Fort Leavenworth; and the cattle-thieves
+whom Bob Owens had captured at the squatter's
+cabin had been turned over to the civil authorities.
+George did all he could to secure Springer's release,
+but his efforts were unavailing, and with his
+companions he was sentenced to the penitentiary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span>
+for a long term of years. Mr. Wentworth had
+come out all right. With the aid of his friend,
+Mr. Holmes, he had gathered up all his cattle that
+had been stampeded by the Mexican raiders, and rebuilt
+his ranche in a more substantial manner, and
+he and his boys made it a point to visit the post
+very frequently to see the men who had rendered
+them such signal service.</p>
+
+<p>The months wore on, the raids in Colonel Brown's
+district grew less and less frequent until they ceased
+altogether, and then the colonel told George that he
+might go home if he so desired. He did desire it,
+for he was growing tired of life among the soldiers,
+and besides, he knew it would be a waste of time
+for him to remain at the fort when he could no
+longer be of any use there. So, after taking leave
+of the officers and of the men who had accompanied
+him on his expeditions, he mounted his horse,
+took his pack-mule by the halter and set out.
+The troopers, who had assembled at the gate to see
+him go, cheered him lustily as he rode through
+their ranks, and George carried away with him the
+assurance that their feelings toward him were very
+unlike those with which they had regarded him
+when he first made his appearance at the fort.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Owens never lost the position he held
+in the estimation of both officers and men. He
+did his duty faithfully, never squandered a cent
+of his pay at the sutler's store, and at last had
+the satisfaction of telling himself that he had refunded
+every cent of the <i>Mail Carrier's</i> money, interest
+included. He kept up a regular correspondence
+with his father, who told him he was proud
+of the record he had won, and said everything he
+could to encourage him. One thing that pleased
+Bob was the knowledge of the fact that everybody
+in and about Rochdale was familiar with his history.
+They knew just what he had done when the steamer
+Sam Kendall was burned, and the particulars of
+his exploit on the Staked Plains had been published
+in the papers. He would go home a hero,
+instead of sneaking back like a thief in the night;
+and that is something that runaway boys don't
+often do.</p>
+
+<p>George Ackerman was glad to get back to his
+ranche again. He thoroughly enjoyed the quiet
+life he led there, it was so different from the life
+of bustle and excitement he had led at the fort.
+One bright moonlight night, while he was pacing
+up and down the porch, thinking over old times,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span>
+and wondering what Bob Owens and the rest of
+the boys were doing at the fort, he was aroused
+from the reverie into which he had fallen by the
+sound of horses' hoofs on the trail. He stopped
+abruptly, and after listening a moment heard the
+clanking of sabres mingling with the sound of
+the horses' feet. Greatly surprised, George descended
+the steps, and walking out to the trail
+discovered a long line of horsemen approaching.
+There was no need that he should ask who they
+were or where they came from, for as soon as they
+saw him they greeted him vociferously. They
+were troopers from Fort Lamoine. They rode on
+past the ranche, but two men who were riding at
+the head of the column turned off and came up
+to him. One was Mr. Gilbert and the other was
+Captain Clinton.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, captain," exclaimed George, "this is an
+unexpected pleasure. May I ask where you are
+going? You'll not march any farther to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, we're not going any farther," was the
+answer. "I was about to camp near Mr. Gilbert's
+ranche, but when I happened to mention your
+name, he told me that you lived only ten miles
+away; so I came on, thinking that perhaps you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span>
+would like to see the boys again for the last time.
+We're going up to Fort Lincoln to join General
+Terry," continued the captain, as he dismounted
+and gave his horse up to one of George's herdsmen.
+"That's in Dakota, you know. A determined&mdash;and,
+I hope, successful&mdash;effort is about to
+be made to crush that old rascal, Sitting Bull, by
+throwing three strong columns upon him&mdash;one under
+Crook from the south, another under Gibbon
+from the west, and the third under Terry from the
+east. There's where your old friends the 'Brindles'
+are going. I suppose it doesn't make any difference
+to you where we camp?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," replied George. "There is
+plenty of grass and water close at hand. Come
+into the house, both of you. I want to hear all
+about that great expedition."</p>
+
+<p>Were there not exciting times in the ranche
+that night? and didn't George find the greatest
+satisfaction in acting as host to the men with whom
+he had so often messed at the fort? The supper
+was the best the house could afford, and all the
+officers in the column sat down to it. When they
+had talked themselves out, and were about to go
+to camp, George asked and obtained permission<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>
+for Sergeant Owens and all the members of his
+old squad to come in and visit him. Then there
+was another supper to be eaten and another long
+conversation to be had, and the consequence was
+that when reveille was sounded no one in that
+ranche had had a wink of sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Bob Owens rode away with his command that
+morning, and it was a long time before George
+heard of him again. He left Fort Lincoln with
+General Terry, went off with Custer on that memorable
+scout, and when that officer divided his command
+into three detachments, Sergeant Owens was
+one of those who were detailed to remain behind
+with the packs. He heard all of that terrible
+fight on that bright Sunday afternoon when Reno
+was defeated and Custer fell with so many of his
+devoted followers. He took part in the closing
+scenes of it, for when the packs were ordered up,
+about six o'clock in the evening, he was under
+fire from that time until nine, and saw eighteen
+of his companions killed and forty-six wounded.
+He marched back to Fort Lincoln with the remnants
+of the expedition, which had been whipped at
+every point by the wily old savage it had hoped
+to crush, and was ordered to Fort Leavenworth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>
+where he received his honorable discharge. Then
+he went home, and he is there now, living on the
+best of terms with everybody, especially David
+Evans. Although he was kept in the army long
+months beyond his time, he does not complain,
+for it gives him the opportunity to refer, when
+speaking of his frontier experience, to the "time
+when he was with Custer."</p>
+
+<p>George Ackerman is living in his Texas home,
+managing his own affairs with the assistance of
+an occasional word from Mr. Gilbert, and keeping
+up a regular correspondence with his friend Bob
+Owens, whom he hopes some day to see at his
+ranche again. He has never heard from his uncle
+John or from Ned since he parted from them
+in Galveston. George has seen some stirring times
+during his life, and has learned how to enjoy himself
+in a quiet way. He has accumulated a large
+fund of stories during his travels, and takes pleasure
+in relating them to any attentive listener. Of
+all the numerous adventures in which he had borne
+a part, he delights most to talk about those that
+befell him during his <span class="smcap">life among the soldiers</span>.</p>
+
+<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">TOP</a></span>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
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@@ -0,0 +1,7833 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, George at the Fort, by Harry Castlemon
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: George at the Fort
+       Life Among the Soldiers
+
+
+Author: Harry Castlemon
+
+
+
+Release Date: June 2, 2007  [eBook #21664]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GEORGE AT THE FORT***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Edwards, Marcia Brooks, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) from digital
+material generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries
+(http://www.archive.org/details/americana)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 21664-h.htm or 21664-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/6/21664/21664-h/21664-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/6/21664/21664-h.zip)
+
+
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive/American Libraries. See
+      http://www.archive.org/details/georgeatthefort00castrich
+
+
+
+
+
+Roughing It Series.
+
+GEORGE AT THE FORT;
+
+Or,
+
+Life Among the Soldiers.
+
+by
+
+HARRY CASTLEMON,
+
+Author of "The Gunboat Series," "The Sportsman's Club Series,"
+"The Boy Trapper Series," Etc.
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+Philadelphia:
+Porter & Coates.
+
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+
+FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.
+
+_Each volume handsomely illustrated and bound in fine extra cloth, black
+and gold stamp. 16mo._
+
+GUNBOAT SERIES. 6 vols.
+
+FRANK THE YOUNG NATURALIST.
+FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI.
+FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG.
+FRANK ON THE PRAIRIE.
+FRANK IN THE WOODS.
+FRANK ON A GUNBOAT.
+
+ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+FRANK AMONG THE RANCHEROS.
+FRANK AT DON CARLOS' RANCHO.
+FRANK IN THE MOUNTAINS.
+
+SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB IN THE SADDLE.
+THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AFLOAT.
+THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE TRAPPERS.
+
+FRANK NELSON SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+SNOWED UP; OR, THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB IN THE MOUNTAINS.
+FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE.
+THE BOY TRADERS; OR, THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE BOERS.
+
+BOY TRAPPER SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+THE BURIED TREASURE; OR, OLD JORDAN'S HAUNT.
+THE BOY TRAPPER; OR, HOW DAVE FILLED THE ORDER.
+THE MAIL-CARRIER.
+
+ROUGHING IT SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+GEORGE IN CAMP; OR, LIFE ON THE PLAINS.
+GEORGE AT THE WHEEL; OR, LIFE IN A PILOT HOUSE.
+GEORGE AT THE FORT; OR, LIFE AMONG THE SOLDIERS.
+
+GO AHEAD SERIES. 3 vols.
+
+GO AHEAD; OR, THE FISHER BOY'S MOTTO.
+NO MOSS; OR, THE CAREER OF A ROLLING STONE.
+TOM NEWCOMBE; OR, THE BOY OF BAD HABITS.
+
+_Other Volumes in Preparation._
+
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+
+Copyright, 1882, by Porter & Coates.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                       PAGE
+CHAPTER I.
+DISCONTENTED RECRUITS                     5
+
+CHAPTER II.
+AN OLD FRIEND TURNS UP                   24
+
+CHAPTER III.
+BOB'S FIRST COMMAND                      45
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING                   66
+
+CHAPTER V.
+THE NEW SCOUT                            90
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+AN UNEXPECTED GUEST                     113
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+HOW BRYANT WAS CAPTURED                 137
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+GEORGE AT THE FORT                      159
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING         179
+
+CHAPTER X.
+HOW GEORGE SAVED THE CAMP               200
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKES                  222
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+ANOTHER FEATHER FOR BOB'S CAP           242
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+HE WINS IT FAIRLY                       262
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+"THREE CHEERS FOR THE 'BRINDLES'!"      282
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+MORE BAD LUCK FOR MR. WENTWORTH         303
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+CONCLUSION                              327
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+AN UNEXPECTED GUEST            facing page     6
+
+STORMING THE DUG-OUT             "     "      84
+
+BOB CAPTURES THE DESERTER        "     "     146
+
+TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKE            "     "     280
+
+
+
+
+GEORGE AT THE FORT.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+DISCONTENTED RECRUITS.
+
+
+"Captain, this thing must be stopped. I say it must be stopped, even if
+we have to resort to summary measures. We must find out who the
+ringleaders are, and make an example of them."
+
+The speaker was Colonel Brown, the commanding officer of Fort Lamoine.
+As he uttered these emphatic words he slammed a paper-weight down upon a
+pile of reports which the adjutant had just brought in, and, settling
+back in his chair, looked sharply at the officer who stood in front of
+the table. The red sash the latter wore around his waist proclaimed him
+to be the officer of the day.
+
+"How many did you say there were in the party who deserted last night?"
+continued the colonel.
+
+"Seven, sir," replied the officer of the day, "and there is a list of
+their names. They took no horses with them, but they each secured a
+carbine and a box of cartridges."
+
+"That makes thirty men who have deserted since I took command of this
+post," said the colonel, angrily, "and not more than half of them have
+been captured.--Orderly, tell Corporal Owens I want to see him. He is
+one of the few non-commissioned officers in the command whom I am not
+afraid to trust.--Captain, have six picked men, with two days' rations,
+detailed to go with him in pursuit of these deserters. He can find and
+arrest them if anybody can."
+
+[Illustration: An Unexpected Guest.]
+
+The officer of the day closed the door of the colonel's head-quarters
+behind him, and in a few minutes the orderly opened it again to admit a
+sturdy young soldier, about eighteen years old, who wore upon his arms
+the yellow _chevrons_ of a corporal of cavalry. This was Bob Owens--the
+boy who stole the _mail-carrier's_ hard-earned money and ran away from
+home to enjoy it. He had not changed much in appearance. He had grown
+taller and his shoulders were broader, but any one who had known him
+before he entered the army would have recognized him now. The fact that
+he had been selected to perform the hazardous duty of pursuing and
+arresting the deserters who had left the fort the night before fully
+armed, and who would not hesitate to make a desperate resistance rather
+than allow themselves to be taken back to stand the punishment that
+would be inflicted upon them by a court-martial, and the colonel's
+declaration that he was one of the few non-commissioned officers in the
+command whom he was not afraid to trust, seemed to indicate that our old
+friend Bob had won a reputation since he enlisted in Galveston, nearly a
+year ago, and done something to win the confidence of his superiors. Let
+us go back and see what it was.
+
+The last time we saw Bob Owens he was just coming out of a
+recruiting-office, having enlisted in the regular cavalry and sworn away
+his liberty for a long term of years. He did not take this step of his
+own free will, but was driven to it by force of circumstances.
+
+When Bob found Dan Evans in his camp in the woods and stole from him the
+money that David, with Dan and Bert Gordon's assistance, had earned by
+trapping quails, he ran away from home, and after escaping from the
+constable who arrested him at Linwood on suspicion of being a
+horse-thief he took passage on board the steamer Sam Kendall for St.
+Louis. While he was on the steamer he made the acquaintance of George
+Ackerman, who was one of the pilots, and whom he twice saved from
+drowning. George owned an extensive cattle-ranche in Texas, which was
+held in trust for him by his uncle, John Ackerman, who was his guardian.
+After the Sam Kendall was burned he tried to show his gratitude to his
+preserver, whom he believed to be alone in the world, by offering him a
+home at his house. At first Bob was inclined to refuse. His imagination
+having been excited by the cheap novels he had read, he had left home
+intending to go on the Plains and make himself famous as a hunter and
+Indian-fighter; but George, who had seen more than one professional
+hunter in his frontier home, said so much against it, and painted the
+poverty and worthlessness of this class of men, and the dangers of the
+life they led, in such gloomy colors, that Bob was finally induced to
+give up his long-cherished idea, and to consent to accompany his new
+friend to his home in Texas. As George had no money, Bob footed all
+their bills, and in due time, in spite of the efforts which Uncle John
+Ackerman made to separate them in New Orleans, they arrived in
+Galveston.
+
+They had scarcely stepped ashore before their troubles began in earnest.
+Bob's pocket was picked while he was passing through the crowd on the
+wharf, and the boys found themselves alone in a strange city, without
+money enough in their possession to pay for supper or lodging, and no
+friend to whom they could go for assistance. They spent the night on the
+streets, keeping constantly in motion to avoid attracting the attention
+of the police, and when morning came they found a good-natured grocer
+who gave them a breakfast of crackers and cheese, and provided George
+with the means of writing to Mr Gilbert for money to pay his fare and
+Bob's by rail and stage-coach to Palos. If they could only reach that
+place, their troubles would be over, for George was well known there,
+and everybody would be ready to lend him and his new friend a helping
+hand. But Mr. Gilbert lived a long way from Galveston, the mail
+facilities between Palos and his rancho were none of the best, and the
+boys were utterly at a loss to determine how they were going to exist
+during the two or three weeks that must elapse before George could
+receive an answer to his letter.
+
+The two friends passed the day in roaming about the city looking for
+work, but nobody needed them. When the afternoon began drawing to a
+close they were almost tired out, and George talked of going to some
+station-house to spend the night--a project to which Bob could not bear
+to listen. The idea of having a policeman's key turned upon him was
+dreadful; the bare thought of it was enough to make him gasp for breath.
+As he walked along the streets he was continually searching his pockets
+in the faint hope of finding the missing money tucked away in some
+unexplored corner, and finally he discovered fifty cents in currency in
+the watch-pocket of his trousers. His heart bounded at the sight of it.
+It was enough to provide him with supper and a night's lodging, but was
+not enough to pay for the same comforts for George.
+
+When Bob found this stray piece of currency he was not long in making up
+his mind how to act. He resolved to slip away from George, and
+accomplished his purpose by gradually slackening his pace and allowing
+the young pilot to get some distance in advance of him, and then he
+turned down a cross-street and took to his heels. He made his way to a
+cheap lodging-house, ate a hearty supper and went to bed, wondering how
+George was getting on and where he would pass the night. The latter, as
+we know, fared much better than Bob did, and the latter made a great
+mistake in deserting him. His companion had not been gone more than a
+half an hour before George encountered Mr. Gilbert, the friend to whom
+he had written that morning, and who had come to Galveston on business.
+The two looked everywhere for Bob, but were finally obliged to abandon
+the search. The missing boy had disappeared as completely as though the
+earth had opened and swallowed him up.
+
+The first question that forced itself upon the mind of Bob Owens when he
+awoke the next morning was, "What shall I do next?" A careful
+examination of all his pockets showed him that there were no more
+fifty-cent pieces in them, and he was obliged to confess to himself that
+the future looked exceedingly dark. He walked the streets in a very
+disconsolate frame of mind, and had almost decided that he would step
+into the nearest grocery-store and ask the proprietor if he would not
+give him a job of sawing wood to pay for something to eat, when he
+happened to pass a recruiting-office. A sign posted up in front of the
+door conveyed to the public the information that men were wanted there
+for the United States cavalry service, and suggested an idea to Bob. He
+took a few minutes in which to run it over in his mind, and then faced
+about and entered the office.
+
+The law against enlisting minors without the consent of their parents or
+guardians is very strict, but Bob got around it by repeating the story
+he had told George Ackerman, that he was an orphan, and that there was
+no one who had a right to control his actions. The recruiting-officer
+was a young man, not more than two or three years older than himself,
+but he had seen service away up in the Yellowstone country, and the scar
+on his forehead, which was not yet fully healed, marked the track of the
+Indian bullet which had come very near putting an end to his career as a
+soldier. Being unable to do duty in the field, he had been sent to Texas
+to recuperate his health and to recruit men to fill up some of the
+depleted cavalry regiments. He questioned Bob very closely, but the
+latter gave satisfactory replies, and, having passed the surgeon, his
+"descriptive list" was taken and he was duly sworn into the service.
+There were a number of newly-enlisted men hanging about the office
+waiting to be ordered to some post, and one of them, who acted as
+quartermaster-sergeant, took Bob into a back room and served out a
+uniform to him.
+
+"What shall I do with my citizen's rig?" asked Bob as he twisted himself
+first on one side and then on the other to see how he looked in his new
+clothes. "I suppose I can't keep it?"
+
+"Of course not," was the sergeant's quick reply. "It would come too
+handy in case you should make up your mind to desert."
+
+"I shall never make up my mind to any such thing," exclaimed Bob,
+indignantly. "I have gone into this business with my eyes open, and I am
+going to see it through."
+
+"That's the right spirit," said the sergeant. "But wait till you have
+ridden twelve hundred miles at a stretch in pursuit of a band of
+hostiles, and perhaps you'll weaken."
+
+"What do you know about hostiles?" asked Bob.
+
+"Well, I should think I ought to know all about them, for I have been
+there. This is my third enlistment in the regular army."
+
+"Is that so?" exclaimed Bob. "I should think that after so many years'
+service you ought to be an officer."
+
+"I was a non-com when I was discharged, and that is as high as any
+enlisted man can get now," replied the soldier. "I was a captain during
+the war, but they don't take men out of the ranks and make officers of
+them any more. When I enlisted this time I had to go in as a private;
+but I have my old warrants in my pocket, and perhaps they will help me
+get a new one when I reach the post where I am to serve."
+
+"What's a non-com?" asked Bob.
+
+"Why, a non-commissioned officer," answered the soldier, staring at Bob
+as if he were surprised at his ignorance. "You never did any soldiering,
+I'll bet."
+
+"No, I never did," replied the recruit; "this is my first experience."
+
+"And before you get through with it you will wish that you had never had
+any experience at all."
+
+"Don't you think I shall like the army?"
+
+"Well, I know _I_ don't like it."
+
+"Then why did you enlist again?"
+
+"Because I couldn't do anything else. A man who has soldiered for nearly
+fourteen years isn't fit for civil life. Now, make your citizen's
+clothes into a bundle and take them around the corner to a little Jew
+store you will find there. Mose buys all the recruits' cast-off
+clothing. He'll not give you much for them, but the little he will give
+you will keep you in gingerbread as long as you stay in the city."
+
+"How long do you suppose that will be?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know, but if recruits keep coming in as rapidly as
+they have during the last few days, the lieutenant will probably take a
+squad off next week."
+
+"Where will he take it?"
+
+"That's a conundrum. A private never knows where he is going until he
+gets there."
+
+"Where do you eat and sleep?"
+
+"We take our meals at the restaurant next door, and having no bunks we
+sleep on the benches in the office. You can go about the city as much as
+you please, but you must be sure and report at meal-time. If you fail to
+do that, you will have the police after you."
+
+"Why will I?" asked Bob in surprise.
+
+"Because the lieutenant will think you have deserted."
+
+Bob was beginning to feel the tight rein of military discipline
+already. At home he had always been accustomed to go and come when he
+pleased, and he did not like the idea of having his liberty restricted
+or of being obliged to obey without question the orders of a boy
+scarcely older than himself. But it was too late to think of that now.
+The youthful officer was backed up by the entire military and police
+force of the United States, and there was no such thing as getting out
+of reach of his authority.
+
+"I am in for it," thought Bob as he rolled up his clothes and started
+for the little Jew store around the corner, "but I don't know that I
+could have done anything else. I shall have plenty to eat and a place to
+sleep, and at the same time I shall be earning money to pay off that
+debt I owe Dave Evans. What an idiot I was to keep that money! To pay
+for that one act of folly and dishonesty I am compelled to waste some of
+the best years of my life in the army. I hope I shall get a chance to
+show them that I am no coward, if I am a greenhorn."
+
+It was little indeed that Mose gave Bob for the articles he had to offer
+for sale--just four dollars for clothing that had cost over thirty; but
+those four dollars made him feel a little more independent. They
+brought him a few delicacies to supplement the plain fare that was
+served up to him and his companions at the cheap restaurant at which
+they took their meals, and were the means of gaining him the friendship
+of one of the recruits, Bristow by name, who stuck to him like a leech
+until the last cent had been expended.
+
+Bob remained in Galveston nearly two weeks, and during that time he saw
+everything of interest there was to be seen in the city. Then he began
+to grow tired of having nothing to do, and took to hanging about the
+office as the others did, and making comments upon those who presented
+themselves for enlistment. He was glad indeed when the lieutenant
+mustered all the recruits one night and ordered them to report at the
+office the next morning at nine o'clock, sharp; but he was provoked
+because the officer did not tell them where they were going. This,
+however, only proved the truth of the old sergeant's words--that a
+private never knew where he was going until he got there. Bob knew that
+they were bound for Brownsville when a steamer landed them there a few
+hours later, and he found out that they were going from there to Fort
+Lamoine when they arrived at that post after a weary tramp of more than
+three hundred miles.
+
+The recruits camped beside the trail at night, and during the daytime
+plodded along behind the army-wagon which contained their tents,
+blankets, rations and cooking-utensils. It was very fatiguing to all of
+them, and it was not long before Bob began to learn something of the
+dispositions of the men with whom he was to be intimately associated
+during his term of enlistment. The majority of them grumbled lustily,
+and even talking of deserting, and there were not more than two or three
+besides himself who bore the discomforts of the march with anything like
+patience. There was not much restriction placed upon their actions, and,
+although they were not permitted to stray away from the line of march
+during the daytime, they were allowed to visit any ranches or
+farm-houses that might be in the neighborhood of their camping-grounds.
+The people they met along the route were very liberal with the products
+of their gardens and with their milk, butter and eggs, and the recruits
+fared sumptuously every day; but it would have been much better for some
+of them if they had remained in camp at night and left the settlers
+entirely alone. Not a few of the men with whom they exchanged civilities
+unconsciously sowed among them seeds of discontent that were destined
+eventually to bear a fruitful crop of trouble. By endeavoring to live up
+to the sentiments they heard expressed on every hand, more than one of
+the recruits found themselves landed in the military prison at Fort
+Leavenworth.
+
+"I don't see why you chaps swear away your liberty, and work for
+thirteen dollars a month, when you might just as well get forty and be
+free men," said a rancheman one night, after he has given Bob and three
+companions, one of whom was Bristow, all the milk he had to spare.
+"You'll soon get enough of soldiering, _I_ tell you. I know, for I have
+tried it. It is a heap easier to ride around on your horse and watch
+your cattle while they are fattening themselves for market on the rich
+grass."
+
+"But we don't happen to have any cattle to watch," said Bob.
+
+"Who would give us forty dollars a month?" demanded Bristow, who was one
+of the loudest and most persistent grumblers among the recruits.
+
+"You could get it almost anywhere in this country," replied the
+rancheman. "I'd give it to you, for one, and I know of a dozen others
+who stand ready to snap up the first man that comes along, no odds
+whether he ever herded cattle or not. You have made precious fools of
+yourselves, and you'll get a fool's reward. You'll have mean grub, hard
+work and poor pay, and be niggers to every little snipe who wears a
+shoulder-strap."
+
+"We've found that out already--haven't we, boys?" said Bristow, as he
+and his companions reluctantly took leave of the hospitable rancheman
+and retraced their steps toward the camp. "We _are_ precious fools to
+work for thirteen dollars, when we might just as well earn three times
+that amount, and be our own masters besides. There is no need that
+anybody should tell us that our officers will treat us like niggers, for
+we have found that out too. Look at that lieutenant! He rides in the
+wagon every day, while we have to hoof it."
+
+"But you must remember that he is not strong," said Bob. "He has not yet
+fully recovered from the effects of his wound."
+
+"I don't believe a word of it," declared Bristow. "He's just as able to
+march and cook his own grub and pitch his own tent as we are. It makes
+me sick to see how that man Haskins waits on him." (Haskins was the one
+who had served out clothing to the recruits in Galveston.) "But a blind
+man could see what he is working for," added Bristow. "He wants to get
+into the good graces of the lieutenant, hoping that he will be
+recommended for a non-com's position when we reach the fort. I tell you
+I have seen enough of soldiering already, and the very first chance I
+get I am going to skip out."
+
+"I'll go with you," said one of the recruits.
+
+"All right! Shake on that."
+
+"You may depend upon me," said the recruit as he grasped Bristow's
+proffered hand. "Do you remember that big-whiskered, loud-voiced
+rancheman who gave us the potatoes the other night? He is sadly in need
+of help, and he told me that if I would come to his house, bringing
+three or four friends with me, he would give us citizens' clothes and
+hide us until the officers gave up looking for us. All he asked was,
+that we should agree to work for him for twelve months, and promise not
+to leave without giving him due notice."
+
+"I am in for that," exclaimed the recruit who had not spoken
+before.--"What do you say, Owens?"
+
+"I say I am _out_ of it," was the quick reply. "If I did a thing like
+that, I never could look a white man in the face again. I have been
+guilty of a good many mean acts during my life--some that I would gladly
+recall if I could--but I am not mean enough to desert. Besides, I have
+no desire to have a bullet sent into me."
+
+Bob's companions did not know whether to be surprised or angry at this
+plain speech. They stared hard at him for a moment, and then Bristow
+said,
+
+"Are you really afraid of being shot? Well, I can set your fears on that
+score at rest. I know that the penalty for desertion in the face of the
+enemy is death, but we are not in the face of the enemy now. The country
+is at peace."
+
+"I know it is nominally so," answered Bob, "but it is not so in reality,
+and never will be so long as these hostile Indians and lawless Mexicans
+continue to raid over the Texas border. If you skip out, as you threaten
+to do, you may rest assured that you will be brought back by force of
+arms, and if you resist you will be shot."
+
+"How does it come that you know so much more than the rest of us?"
+demanded Bristow angrily. "You are not an old soldier."
+
+"I am aware of that fact, but I have been talking to an old soldier, and
+that was Haskins. He told me that Major Elliot, one of General Custer's
+officers, pursued a party of deserters, and when they resisted he shot
+three of them; and Haskins himself was one of the squad that did the
+shooting."
+
+"I don't believe a word of it," exclaimed Bristow.
+
+"Neither do I," said another of the recruits. "Of course we expect to be
+pursued, but we shall take good care that we are not caught. Any of
+these ranchemen who want herdsmen will furnish us with citizens'
+clothing, and before our year is out the thing will blow over, and then
+we'll go home, and stay there."
+
+"It won't blow over as easily as you think for," said Bob. "It will be
+known to your home authorities and to everybody else that you are
+deserters, and all the detectives in the United States will be on the
+lookout for you. If you want to live in constant fear of arrest, you can
+do it, but I won't."
+
+Bob stuck to his resolution, and his discontented companions stuck to
+theirs. We shall see in due time which of the four made the wisest
+decision.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+AN OLD FRIEND TURNS UP.
+
+
+The long, toilsome journey was completed at last, and late one afternoon
+the weary and footsore recruits found themselves drawn up in line on the
+parade-ground at Fort Lamoine. After the roll had been called and the
+colonel commanding the post had hurriedly inspected them, they were
+turned over to a sergeant, who marched them into the barracks. There
+they found about two hundred or more soldiers, who, as soon as the order
+was given to "break ranks," crowded about them inquiring for late papers
+and asking a thousand and one questions in regard to what was going on
+in the States.
+
+Learning from the sergeant that no duty would be required of him that
+day, Bob spread his blankets in one of the empty bunks, and, stretching
+himself upon them, placed his hands under his head and looked about him
+with no little curiosity. Presently a young trooper, a boy about his
+own age, who looked as though he were just recovering from a long siege
+of sickness, approached, and, seating himself on the edge of Bob's bunk,
+began a conversation with him. Those of our readers who have met this
+boy before in citizen's dress might have seen something familiar about
+him, but still it is doubtful if they would have recognized in
+him--Well, we will let him reveal his identity. After a few commonplace
+remarks Bob inquired, as he nodded his head toward a soldier who was
+hobbling about the room with the aid of a crutch,
+
+"What's the matter with that man?"
+
+"Raiders," was the sententious reply.
+
+"Been in a fight?" asked Bob.
+
+The young soldier nodded his head.
+
+"How long since?"
+
+"Last full moon."
+
+"I hope these fights don't occur very often."
+
+"Well, they do--much oftener than I wish they did. I have been in two
+pretty hard ones, and that's enough for me. I suppose we shall have more
+of them now, for I understand that we have received orders to follow the
+raiders across the river and thrash them wherever they can be found."
+
+"Were you wounded in one of those fights?" asked Bob. "Then you must be
+sick," he added when the boy shook his head.
+
+"Yes, I am sick," was the reply--"homesick and sick at heart. I have
+been in the army nearly two years and a half, and I don't see how I can
+live to serve out the rest of my time. I am dying by inches."
+
+"What did you come into the army for, anyhow?"
+
+"Because I was a fool," answered the young soldier bitterly.
+
+"Shake," exclaimed Bob, extending his hand; "I came in for the same
+reason."
+
+"Did your parents give their consent?" asked his new acquaintance.
+
+"No, they didn't. They live in Mississippi, and don't know anything
+about it."
+
+Bob's long tramp had taken a good deal of spirit out of him, and somehow
+he could not muster up energy enough to tell any more falsehoods
+concerning himself.
+
+"My parents live in Ohio," said the soldier.
+
+"Then how in the world did you happen to stray down here to Texas?"
+asked Bob.
+
+"I ran away from home."
+
+"Shake," said Bob, again extending his hand; "that's just what I did."
+
+The two runaways shook each other's hands in the most cordial manner,
+and instantly all reserve between them vanished. They were companions in
+misery and united by a bond of sympathy. The young soldier at once
+became very communicative. He had closely guarded his secret for more
+than two years, because there was not one among the rough men by whom he
+was surrounded who could understand or appreciate his feelings. But here
+was one who could sympathize with him, and it was a great relief to him
+to know that he could speak freely and run no risk of being laughed at
+for his weakness.
+
+"My name is Gus Robbins," said he, moving up a little closer to Bob and
+speaking in a low, confidential tone. "I had as good a home as any boy
+need wish for, but I wasn't contented there; still, I don't believe that
+I ever should have left it as I did if circumstances had not smoothed
+the way for me. My father is the senior partner in the largest dry-goods
+store in Foxboro', and he had in his employ two persons, father and son,
+who are in a great measure responsible for all the trouble I have got
+into. The buy was a clerk like myself, and his father was our
+bookkeeper. They had a very wealthy relative, a rancheman, living here
+in Texas, and when that relative died it was found that he had willed
+his property to our bookkeeper, to be held in trust for his (the
+rancheman's) son. They came to Texas to take charge of the estate, and
+after a while I received a letter from Ned (that was the boy's name)
+inviting me to pay him a visit. As he sent me money enough to bear the
+expenses of the journey, I came; and I am very sorry for it. We got
+ourselves into trouble by shooting some cattle that had broken into
+Ned's wheat-field, and had to dig out for Brownsville at a gallop. Ned
+went squarely back on me, and as I had no money to pay my way home, and
+hadn't the cheek to ask my father for it, I did what I thought to be the
+next best thing--I enlisted. I am very sorry for that too, for there was
+where I made my mistake. I ought to have gone back into the country and
+hired out to some stock-raiser. Then I could have gone home as soon as I
+had earned and saved money enough to take me there; but now I must stay
+my time out; that is, unless--"
+
+Gus paused and looked at Bob. The latter understood him. Here was
+another fellow who had made up his mind to desert at the first
+opportunity.
+
+"Don't do that," said Bob, earnestly. "You'll only get yourself into
+trouble if you attempt it."
+
+"I don't care if I am shot for it. I'll make a break for liberty the
+very first good chance I get."
+
+The tone in which these words were uttered satisfied Bob that it would
+be of no use whatever to argue the matter. It was plain that Gus had
+made up his mind after mature deliberation, and that he was not to be
+easily turned from his purpose.
+
+"Where did your friend Ned go after you reached Brownsville?" asked Bob,
+who was much interested in the young soldier's story.
+
+"I don't know; I left him at the hotel. He will come to some bad end,
+and so will his father, for they are both rascals. The property of which
+they have charge, and which brings in a big fortune every year,
+rightfully belongs to George Ackerman, Ned's cousin; but Ned and his
+father--"
+
+"George Ackerman?" exclaimed Bob, starting up in his bunk.
+
+Gus nodded his head, and looked at the recruit in great surprise.
+
+"Is he a cub pilot?" continued the latter.
+
+"'A cub pilot'?" repeated Gus. "No, he's a herdsman, or I ought rather
+to say he _was_ a herdsman. He had stock of his own worth six thousand
+dollars. Where he is now I don't know, for on the morning after we left
+his ranche, while we were camped in the edge of the timber making up for
+the sleep we had lost the night before, we were surprised by a couple of
+Greasers, who made a prisoner of George and carried him across the river
+into Mexico. I don't know what they did with him, for all George could
+induce them to say was that 'Fletcher wanted to see him.'"
+
+"It's the same fellow," exclaimed Bob, rising from his blanket and
+seating himself on the edge of the bunk by his companion's side. "He
+told me all about it, but his story was so very remarkable that I didn't
+know whether to believe it or not. He gave those Greasers the slip,
+secured a berth as cub pilot on a Mississippi River steamer, and that
+was where I found him."
+
+With this introduction Bob went on to tell how he had saved George from
+going to the bottom when Uncle John Ackerman pushed him overboard from
+the Sam Kendall; related all the thrilling incidents connected with the
+burning of the steamer; described how Uncle John had tried to separate
+them in New Orleans; in short, he gave a truthful account of his
+intercourse with the cub pilot up to the time he deserted him in
+Galveston. Bob was heartily ashamed of that now, and could not bear to
+speak of it.
+
+"I became separated from him in some way--it is very easy to lose a
+companion in the crowded streets of a city, you know--and that was the
+last I saw of him," said Bob in conclusion; and when he told this he
+forgot that he had afterward seen George go into a hotel accompanied by
+Mr. Gilbert. "Then I didn't know what to do. I had no money; I was
+hungry and sleepy, utterly discouraged; and, like you, I sought to end
+my troubles by enlisting. I see now that I made a great mistake, but I
+am going to serve faithfully during my term of enlistment, if I live. Is
+George's ranche far from here?"
+
+"I don't know, for I am not much acquainted with the country east of
+here, never having scouted in that direction. It is about one hundred
+and fifty miles from Palos, if you know where that is. As you are
+George's friend, I am sorry that you enlisted, for I know that you are
+going to have a hard time of it; but since you _did_ enlist, I am glad
+you were ordered to this post, for misery loves company, you know. Let's
+walk out on the parade, where we can talk without danger of being
+overheard. Perhaps you would like to take a look at the place which will
+always be associated in your mind with the most unhappy days of your
+existence."
+
+It was plain that Gus took a very gloomy view of things, and of course
+his discouraging remarks made an impression upon Bob, although they did
+not take away the interest he felt in his surroundings. Everything was
+new to him, and he asked a great many questions as he and Gus walked
+slowly around the parade toward the stables.
+
+Fort Lamoine was situated on a high, rocky eminence which overlooked the
+surrounding country for half a dozen miles or more in every direction.
+The stockade, which enclosed about two acres of ground, was built of
+upright logs deeply sunk in the earth. The tops were sawed off level,
+and a heavy plate of timber, through which stout wooden pins had been
+driven into the end of each log, held them firmly in their place. The
+officers' quarters, barracks, store-houses and stables were built in
+the same manner. On the outside of the parade were long rows of stately
+cottonwood trees, interspersed with shrubs and flowers. In one corner,
+on the right-hand side of the principal gate, was the well that supplied
+the garrison with water, and in the other was the flagstaff, from which
+floated the Stars and Stripes.
+
+"Emblem of liberty!" said Gus with a sneer as he pointed up at the
+flag--"emblem of tyranny, rather."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" demanded Bob quickly.
+
+"Oh, you will find out before you have been here long," replied Gus,
+shaking his head and looking very wise. "A bigger lot of tyrants than
+the officers who command us were never crowded into any one post."
+
+"Perhaps you don't do your duty as well as you might?" mildly suggested
+Bob.
+
+"I know I don't. I do no more than I am obliged to do, I tell you, and
+for the simple reason that I didn't enlist to act as lackey to a lot of
+shoulder-straps. I am just as good as they are, but they say I am not.
+Why, the last time the paymaster was here his little snipe of a clerk
+remarked in my hearing that enlisted men were nothing more than servants
+to the officers. What do you think of that?"
+
+Bob did not know what to think of it, so he said nothing in reply. He
+simply resolved that he would not pass judgment upon his superiors until
+he had had some experience with them himself.
+
+"This is by no means the gloomy place that I expected to find it," said
+Bob as he and Gus resumed their walk.
+
+"Oh, the fort itself is good enough," replied Gus; "it's the people who
+live in it that I object to. If one could pick his own company, and
+could do as he pleased, he might manage to live here for a few years
+very comfortably; but we have to associate with some rough characters
+there in the barracks, and the officers hold us with our noses close to
+the grindstone all the time. They look upon a private as little better
+than a dog, and they'll slap him into the guard-house on the slightest
+provocation. Now, this is one of the stables; it will accommodate
+seventy horses. Those you see in here are blooded animals, and they
+belong to the officers. The government horses are always picketed
+outside, except when there is danger of a visit from the raiders, and
+then they are brought in for safe-keeping. Now, take a good look at the
+stable, and then come out and take another look at the stockade. Every
+night there are two sentries placed over this stable--one at the front,
+and the other at the rear, between the stable and the stockade--and a
+guard sleeps inside. Would you believe that, after all these
+precautions, it would be possible for anybody to come into the fort and
+steal a horse?"
+
+Bob said he would not.
+
+"Well, it was done not more than two weeks ago," continued Gus. "One
+stormy night these two logs were removed from the stockade, and four of
+the best horses in the stable were run off. It must have taken hours to
+do the work, and although the sentries were changed while it was going
+on, no one knew that a theft had been committed until the next morning."
+
+"Who did it?" inquired Bob.
+
+"A couple of Comanches, who were surprised and killed by the squad that
+was sent in pursuit of them. The Comanches are acknowledged, even by the
+Indians themselves, to be the most expert horse-thieves on the Plains.
+Why, one night, when a scouting-party to which I was attached were in
+camp and fast asleep, a Comanche crept up and stole the lieutenant's
+horse; and in order to do it he had to cut the lariat that was tied to
+the officer's wrist. He got away with the horse, and never awoke one of
+us."
+
+Gus Robbins had accumulated an almost inexhaustible fund of such
+anecdotes as these during his two and a half years of army-life, and he
+related a good many of them to Bob while they were walking about the
+fort examining the different objects of interest. From some of them Bob
+gained a faint idea of what might be in store for himself.
+
+The next morning the newly-arrived recruits were formed into an awkward
+squad and turned over to the tender mercies of a grizzly old sergeant,
+who proved to be anything but an agreeable and patient instructor. He
+drilled them for four hours without allowing them a single moment's
+rest, abusing them roundly for every mistake they made; and when at last
+he marched them to their quarters, it was only that they might eat their
+dinner and take half an hour's breathing-spell preparatory to going
+through the same course of sprouts again in the afternoon. This routine
+was followed day after day until the members of the awkward squad were
+declared to be sufficiently drilled to warrant their appearance on
+dress-parade. After that they were assigned to the different troops (or
+companies) that stood the most in need of men, Bob, to his delight,
+finding himself in the same troop to which his new friend, Gus Robbins,
+belonged. But even then their troubles did not cease. Instead of
+drilling eight hours each day, they drilled six, and were obliged to do
+guard-duty besides. Among the three hundred and eighty men who composed
+the garrison there were not a few old soldiers who hated this hard work
+as cordially as some of the new-comers did, and there was a good deal of
+grumbling among them; but Bob Owens never uttered a word of complaint.
+Firmly adhering to the resolution he had made when he first enlisted, he
+set himself to work to learn just what was required of him, and when he
+found out what his duty was, he did it cheerfully and faithfully. He was
+always on hand when he was wanted, his equipments were always ready for
+inspection, and his horse shone like satin. When his own steed had been
+fed and groomed, he turned his attention to the horse belonging to the
+lieutenant who commanded the troop to which he belonged, and thereby
+aroused the indignation of some of his brother-soldiers.
+
+"What are you doing that for?" demanded Gus Robbins one day as he and
+Bristow entered the stable and found Bob busy at work grooming the
+lieutenant's horse. "You are in pretty business, I must say!"
+
+"Yes, I rather like it," answered Bob. "I always liked to work about
+horses, and I am doing this because I haven't anything else to do just
+now."
+
+"Well, I wouldn't do it any more if I were in your place," continued
+Gus. "The law expressly prohibits an officer from compelling, or even
+hiring, an enlisted man to do his dirty work."
+
+"It does, does it?" exclaimed Bob. "Didn't you tell me when I just came
+here that enlisted men were nothing but servants to their officers?"
+
+"I didn't mean that, exactly," stammered Gus. "What I _did_ mean was,
+that they don't treat us like human beings. If an officer wants a
+servant, he must hire a civilian and pay him out of his own pocket;
+that's what the law says."
+
+"I am aware of that fact; but the law doesn't say that I shall not groom
+the lieutenant's horse if I choose to do it of my own free will, does
+it?"
+
+"Let the toady alone, Robbins," said Bristow angrily. "The troop hasn't
+got all the non-coms that it is entitled to, and Owens is working for
+chevrons. You know the lieutenant said the other day that there were
+four corporals' and two duty sergeants' warrants waiting for those who
+were willing to win them; and this is the way Owens is going to work to
+get one of them."
+
+Bob straightened up, looked sharply at Bristow for a moment, and then
+drew back the brush he held in his hand, as if he had half a mind to
+throw it at his head.
+
+"That's what all the boys say, Bob," observed Gus. "If you want to keep
+on the right side of the privates, you must not try to curry favor with
+the officers."
+
+"If you want a non-com's warrant, why don't you wait until you get a
+chance to win it in battle?" added Bristow. "That's what I intend to do,
+and I shall think much more of a promotion earned in that way than I
+should of one I had gained by cleaning an officer's horse."
+
+"Look here, fellows," said Bob earnestly: "I don't do this work for the
+lieutenant because I hope to gain anything by it. I do it simply to pass
+away the time, for I can't see any fun in loafing about the quarters
+doing nothing. If the boys don't like it, let's see them help
+themselves."
+
+"If the lieutenant was a decent man, I wouldn't say a word," answered
+Bristow. "But he is so mean that I wouldn't turn my hand over to save
+his life."
+
+"Anybody with half an eye could see what is the matter with you,"
+retorted Bob. "You have been in the guard-house about half the time
+since you have been here, and spent the other half in doing extra duty;
+and that's the reason you don't like the lieutenant. If you will wake up
+and attend to business, he will treat you well enough."
+
+Bob's prompt and soldier-like way of performing the work that was
+required of him very soon attracted the attention of Lieutenant Earle
+(that was the name of the officer in command of the troop to which Bob
+belonged), and he took his own way to reward him for it. If he was
+ordered off on a scout, Bob Owens was always one of the "picked men" who
+accompanied him. If he was sent out with a squad during the full of the
+moon to watch the ford a few miles below the fort, Bob was one of the
+members of that squad. This did not excite the jealousy of the good
+soldiers, for they were always glad to have a brave comrade to back them
+up in times of danger, no matter whether he was a greenhorn or a
+veteran; but the grumblers and the discontented ones, especially those
+who belonged to his own troop, had a good deal to say about it, and
+declared that the lieutenant took Bob with him on his expeditions to pay
+him for grooming his horse. They disliked him cordially, and it was not
+long before an incident happened that caused the dislike of at least one
+of them to grow into positive hatred.
+
+One pleasant afternoon some of the men received permission to go outside
+the gates for a short stroll. They wandered off in squads, some going
+one way and some another, and Bristow and two companions--one of whom
+was Gus Robbins--bent their steps toward the crumbling remains of an old
+adobe outpost which marked the spot where more than one desperate fight
+with the Apaches had taken place in the days gone by. There they seated
+themselves and entered into conversation, Bristow's first words
+indicating that they were about to discuss a subject that had before
+occupied their attention.
+
+"I tell you, Robbins," said he, "if you are in earnest in what you say,
+now is the time to prove it."
+
+"I certainly am in earnest," answered Gus; "but, to tell you the honest
+truth, I am afraid."
+
+"'Afraid'!" repeated Bristow in a tone of contempt. "What in the world
+are you afraid of?"
+
+"Of pursuit," replied Gus. "If we resist, we run the risk of being shot;
+and if we are captured, we stand an excellent chance of going to
+prison."
+
+"Now, Robbins," said Bristow earnestly, "let me once more explain our
+arrangements to you, and you will see that we do not risk anything. In
+the first place, the horses are left picketed outside the stockade every
+night. They are never brought in, as you know, unless there is danger of
+a visit from the raiders. Four of the six men who are to act as
+horse-guards to-night belong to our party. When the time for action
+arrives, these four men will go to work on the other two and try to
+induce them to accompany us. If they don't succeed, they'll bind and gag
+them, and so put it out of their power to give the alarm. The sentry who
+will be on duty between the stable and the stockade is also one of us,
+and of course he will raise no objection when we slip out of the
+quarters, one by one, and climb the stockade. As fast as we get over we
+will select our horses--I've got mine picked out, and I could put my
+hand on him in the darkest of nights--and when the last one has made his
+escape we'll mount and put off. Of course we hope to escape by running,
+but if we can't do that, we shall turn at bay and make a fight of it. We
+have all sworn to stand by one another to the last, and thirty
+determined, well-armed men can make things lively for a while, I tell
+you."
+
+Bristow continued to talk in this strain for half an hour, his companion
+now and then putting in a word to assist him; and he talked to such good
+purpose that Gus Robbins finally consented to make one of the large
+party that was to desert the post that very night. Bristow then gave him
+the names of the other members--there were several non-commissioned
+officers among them--and after urging him to be very careful of himself,
+and to say and do nothing that might arouse the suspicions of
+"outsiders," the three got upon their feet and walked toward the fort.
+
+They had scarcely left the ruins when a fatigue-cap arose from behind a
+pile of rubbish scarcely a dozen feet from the place where the three
+conspirators had been sitting, and a pair of eyes looking out from under
+the peak of that cap watched them as they moved away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+BOB'S FIRST COMMAND.
+
+
+The eyes that were so closely watching the movements of Bristow and his
+companions belonged to Bob Owens. The latter had strolled off alone, and
+thrown himself behind an angle of the ruined wall to indulge in a few
+moments' quiet meditation, and thus unwillingly placed himself in a
+position to overhear the details of the plot which we have just
+disclosed. If Bristow had not so promptly entered upon the discussion of
+the subject of desertion, Bob would have made his presence known to him;
+but after he had listened to the first words that fell from his lips he
+thought it best to remain quietly in his place of concealment, for he
+knew that if he revealed himself, then he would be accused of playing
+the part of eavesdropper.
+
+"Now, here's a go!" thought Bob, rising to his feet when he saw Bristow
+and his two friends walk through the gate into the fort, "and I wish
+somebody would be kind enough to tell me what I ought to do about it.
+Shall I stand quietly by and let them go, or shall I tell the officers
+what I have heard? If I let them go, they will run the risk of being
+gobbled up by that party of Kiowas who are now raiding the country north
+of us; and if I tell the colonel, and it should ever be found out on me,
+I should lead a hard life in the quarters. I wish I had been somewhere
+else when they came here."
+
+Thrusting his hands deep into his pockets, Bob left the ruins, and,
+walking slowly around the stockade, entered at a gate on the opposite
+side. His first care was to hunt up the sergeant-major of his regiment,
+whom he found in the quarters. This man had grown gray in the service,
+and he was a soldier all over--brave, faithful and untiring in the
+performance of his duty. He readily responded to Bob's significant wink,
+and followed him out on the parade.
+
+"Sergeant," said Bob as soon as they were beyond earshot of everybody,
+"I have accidentally come into the possession of a secret, and I don't
+know what to do with it. There are thirty men in the garrison who are
+going to desert to-night."
+
+The old fellow took a fresh chew of tobacco, pushed his cap on the back
+of his head and looked at Bob, who, after telling him where he had been
+and how he happened to overhear the plot, continued:
+
+"It would never do to let them go. You know I was detailed to act as the
+colonel's orderly this morning, and I heard that scout who came in just
+before noon tell him that there is a large party of hostiles between
+here and Fort Tyler. These deserters intend to take their weapons with
+them, and think they can make a good fight; but those Kiowas are strong
+enough to annihilate them."
+
+"Small loss that would be to us!" growled the veteran. "We are going to
+have some hot work to do before long, and such men are no good in a
+fight."
+
+"It would never do to let them go," repeated Bob, "but there is only one
+way to prevent it that I can see; and that is by telling the colonel all
+about it. If I do that, and they should find it out, they would go back
+on me, sure."
+
+"Of course they would," said the sergeant.
+
+"Well, what would you do if you were in my place?" asked Bob.
+
+"What would I do? I would go straight to the officer of the day and tell
+him the whole thing. The good-will of such men don't amount to anything,
+any way, and what do you care if they do go back on you? There's only
+thirty of them, and that leaves three hundred and fifty good fellows who
+will always be ready to befriend you. Do you know who these deserters
+are? I'll report the matter if you are afraid, and then let's see one of
+them open his head to me."
+
+Bob repeated the names of the would-be deserters which Bristow had given
+as nearly as he could recall them, and the sergeant hurried off to hunt
+up the officer of the day, while Bob went back into the quarters. He had
+been there but a few minutes when the orderly appeared at the door and
+sung out,
+
+"Owens, the colonel wants to see you."
+
+"Aha!" exclaimed Bristow, "our good little boy has been doing something
+bad at last.--There are no bunks in the guard-house, Owens."
+
+Bob made no reply. He followed the orderly across the parade and into
+the colonel's head-quarters, where he found the officer of the day, the
+sergeant-major and all the ranking officers of the garrison. The
+colonel questioned him closely in regard to the plot he had discovered,
+and finally dismissed him and the sergeant without making any comments.
+Half an hour later the entire cavalry force of the garrison was drawn up
+in line, the names of forty men who were ordered to the front and centre
+were read off, and the rest of the troopers were sent back to their
+quarters. Then the bugle sounded "Boots and saddles!" and in a few
+minutes more these forty men--one of whom was Bob Owens--rode out of the
+gate, led by the scout who had brought the information concerning that
+war-party of Kiowas. The squad was commanded by Lieutenant Earle.
+
+"That's all right," whispered Bristow to one of his fellow-conspirators
+as they stood in front of their quarters and saw their comrades ride
+away. "There will be just so many men less to follow us to-morrow
+morning. But I wish we knew which way they are going," he added in a
+tone of anxiety; "and we must find out if we can. We don't want to run
+into them if we can possibly avoid them, for there are some of the best
+men in the garrison in that party."
+
+"I suppose we are off after the hostiles," said the soldier who rode by
+Bob's side. "The scout told the colonel that there were three hundred
+braves in that party, didn't he?"
+
+Bob answered that that was what he understood him to say.
+
+"Then I wish we had a hundred men instead of forty," continued the
+trooper. "Our squad is too large to conceal itself, and too small to
+make a successful fight against such overwhelming odds. Well, if worst
+comes to worst--"
+
+The speaker thrust his hand into his boot-leg and drew out a loaded
+Derringer. He intended to send its contents through his own head rather
+than fall alive into the hands of the hostiles. Probably nine out of ten
+men in that squad were provided with weapons just like it, and which
+they intended to use in the same way should circumstances require it.
+Veteran Indian-fighters never fail to give this advice to a recruit:
+"When it comes to a fight, save the last shot for yourself."
+
+But, as it happened, Bob and his companions were not out after hostiles
+on this particular afternoon, for that raiding-party of Kiowas was
+already beyond the reach of any force that the commander of Fort
+Lamoine could have sent in pursuit of it. They found out in due time
+that their mission was of an entirely different character. They rode at
+a sharp trot until it was nearly dark, and then they went into camp in a
+belt of post-oaks and cooked and ate their supper. After an hour's rest
+they mounted and rode back toward the fort again. Arriving within a mile
+of the stockade, a halt was ordered, the men were dismounted, and, every
+fourth trooper being left to hold the horses, the others marched off
+through the darkness, armed only with their revolvers. Then Bob began to
+understand the matter. The object of the expedition was to capture the
+deserters. It had been led away from the fort simply as a "blind," and
+in order to lull the malcontents into a feeling of security no change
+whatever had been made in the guards who were to do duty that night.
+
+After the lieutenant had marched about half a mile another halt was
+ordered, and sixteen men, divided into squads of four men each, were
+told off to begin the work. The officer approached each squad in turn,
+and after designating some one to take charge of it, gave him his
+instructions in a whisper. When he walked up to Bob he asked,
+
+"Do you know where post No. 4 is? and can you go straight to it without
+making any mistake?"
+
+"Yes, sir, to both your questions," was the prompt reply.
+
+"Very well. Take command of this squad and go and arrest Dodd, whom you
+will find on guard there. Then put Carey in his place, and come back and
+report to me at post No. 1, and I will tell you what else to do. The
+countersign," added the lieutenant, coming a step nearer to Bob and
+speaking in a tone so low that no one else could catch his words, "is
+'Custer.' Be quick and still. Forward, march!"
+
+As Bob moved away with his squad he told himself that fidelity is
+sometimes appreciated. This was his first command, and he knew that much
+depended upon the way in which he executed the orders that had been
+given him. If they were faithfully and skilfully carried out, he might
+hope to be entrusted with other commands in future, and so be given
+opportunities to distinguish himself and win promotion; for Bob, like
+every ambitious boy, was anxious to get ahead as rapidly as possible.
+
+"What's the matter, Owens?" asked all the members of his squad in
+concert as soon as they were out of the lieutenant's hearing. They were
+all in the dark, and so was every man belonging to the expedition with
+the exception of the lieutenant, the sergeant-major and Bob Owens. The
+latter explained the state of affairs in as few words as he could, and
+the general verdict was that it would have been no loss to the garrison,
+or to the service either, if Bristow and his companions had been
+permitted to depart in peace.
+
+In a few minutes Bob and his men arrived within sight of the place where
+the horses were staked out, and a hoarse voice broke the stillness.
+"Halt! Who comes there?" was the challenge.
+
+"Friends, with the countersign," answered Bob after bringing his squad
+to a halt.
+
+"Advance, one friend, and give the countersign," was the next command.
+
+"Now, boys," said Bob in a low whisper, "you stay here, and when I call
+out 'Advance, squad,' come up briskly and surround Dodd, so as to be
+ready to overpower him if he shows the least disposition to resist or
+cry out."
+
+So saying, Bob moved off in the direction from which the hail sounded,
+and presently discovered the sentry, who stood at "arms port."
+
+"Halt!" commanded the guard when Bob had approached within a few feet of
+him. "Give the countersign."
+
+Bob whispered the magic word.
+
+"The countersign is correct," said the sentry, bringing his carbine to a
+carry.--"It's you, is it, Owens? What's the matter?"
+
+"Advance, squad," said Bob in a low tone. "You haven't seen anything
+suspicious going on about your post, have you?" he added, wishing to
+occupy the sentry's attention until his men could come within supporting
+distance of him. "No? Well, I am sorry to say that there is something
+suspicious about _you_, and I am ordered to put you in arrest."
+
+He laid hold of the carbine as he said this, and at the same moment two
+of his men placed their hands upon the sentinel's shoulders. The latter,
+seeing that resistance was useless, promptly gave up his piece and
+dropped his hands by his sides. "It's all that Bristow's work," said he
+in angry tones. "I knew he wouldn't do to tie to."
+
+"Don't say too much," interposed Bob. "You don't want to condemn
+yourself.--Carey, take this post until relieved."
+
+As Bob marched his squad and his prisoner to the place where he was to
+meet his commanding officer, he found the intervening posts in the
+charge of trusty men. Four of the discontented ones had been secured,
+and it only remained for the lieutenant to perfect arrangements for
+seizing the others as fast as they came out of the fort. He had already
+decided upon his plan of operations, and Bob Owens was called upon to
+take the first step toward carrying it out. After he had listened to
+some very explicit instructions from his commander, he stole off into
+the darkness, and, creeping along the outside of the stockade until he
+reached a point opposite the place where the sentry was posted behind
+the stables, he stopped and waited to see what was going to happen.
+About ten feet from him on his left was another soldier, standing
+upright and motionless in the shadow of the stockade. Ten feet beyond
+this soldier was another. These were all that Bob could see, but he knew
+that there were good men and true stationed at regular intervals all
+along the stockade, waiting to act the several parts that had been
+assigned to them.
+
+Bob waited and listened for a quarter of an hour or more, and then he
+heard a conversation carried on in a low tone on the other side of the
+stockade. He could not catch the words, but he knew that the deserters
+were beginning to bestir themselves, and that one of their number was
+talking with the sentry. Presently a scratching, scrambling sound,
+accompanied by heavy, labored breathing and those incoherent
+exclamations that men sometimes use when they are exerting themselves to
+the utmost, told Bob that somebody was making his way up the logs.
+Keeping his eyes fastened on the top, he saw a soldier climb up and seat
+himself on the plate. He could see him very plainly against the light
+background of the sky, and he recognized him at once. It was Bristow. He
+was about to swing himself off when he discovered Bob standing beneath
+him. He stopped, peered down into the darkness for a moment, and then
+called out in a frightened whisper,
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"It's all right," whispered Bob in reply; "come on."
+
+"Who is it, I say?" repeated Bristow in still more earnest tones.
+
+"Why, don't you know Dodd? Hand me your carbine."
+
+"Oh!" said Bristow with a great sigh of relief. "It _is_ all right,
+isn't it? Here you are."
+
+Holding his carbine by the strap, Bristow passed it down to Bob, who
+promptly slung it upon his back. The latter then pushed up his sleeves,
+moved back a little from the stockade, and when Bristow swung himself
+down by his hands and dropped lightly to the ground, Bob stepped up and
+took him by the arm.
+
+"I don't need any help," said Bristow, who had landed squarely on his
+feet. "But I say, Dodd--"
+
+"We'll talk about it as we go along," interrupted Bob. "But not a loud
+word out of you, unless you want to be gagged."
+
+"Why, good gracious, it's Owens!" gasped Bristow, reeling back against
+the stockade. He did not ask what Bob was doing there or why he had
+seized him, for he knew without asking.
+
+"Yes, it is Owens, and the men you saw ride out of the gate with me this
+afternoon are with me now. Here's one of them," added Bob as a soldier
+named Loring stepped up and took his place in readiness to catch the
+next deserter who came over the stockade.
+
+Just then the sentry on the inside placed his mouth close to one of the
+cracks between the logs and asked, in a cautious tone,
+
+"How is it, Bristow? Is the coast clear?"
+
+"All clear," replied Loring, speaking through the same crack. "Tell the
+boys to hurry up; we've no time to waste."
+
+If Bob's captive had any idea of attempting to escape or of alarming his
+companions by crying out, he abandoned it very quickly when he saw the
+soldiers that were stationed along the stockade. There was a trooper for
+every deserter, and as fast as the man at the head of the line caught
+one, another moved up and took his place.
+
+"This bangs me!" said Bristow, in great disgust. "Now comes a
+court-martial of course, and Goodness only knows what will come after
+that--the guard-house and a heavy fine, or the military prison at Fort
+Leavenworth.--I say, Owens, how did the colonel find it out?"
+
+"Do you suppose he tells his secrets to us privates?" asked Bob in
+reply.
+
+"We spoke to somebody who was not worthy of the confidence we placed in
+him," continued Bristow. "The thing never could have become known
+unless one of our own number had proved treacherous. But we can easily
+find out who he is. There are just thirty of us, and if there are only
+twenty-nine arrested, the missing man is the guilty one. When I find out
+who he is, I shall take particular pains to see that the next battle he
+gets into is his last."
+
+This threat was uttered in a very low tone of voice, for Bristow and his
+captor had by this time reached the place where the lieutenant had
+stationed himself to receive his men when they came in with their
+prisoners. Bob reported, "Your orders have been obeyed, sir," and took
+his stand close behind his officer.
+
+"I counted only twenty-six," said Bristow when the sergeant-major came
+up and announced the complete success of the undertaking. "There must be
+four traitors among us."
+
+"Have you counted in the horse-guards?" asked Bob. "There they are on
+the top of that ridge."
+
+No, Bristow had not counted them in, for he did not know until that
+minute that they had been arrested. He was very much astonished when he
+learned that every one of his party had been secured, and could not for
+the life of him imagine how the colonel had found out about it; for that
+he knew _all_ about it was evident from the manner in which the arrests
+had been effected.
+
+Having sent one of his men back to order up the horses, the lieutenant
+formed his captives in line, threw a guard around them and marched them
+into the fort. Halting them on the parade, he went in to report to the
+colonel, and when he came out again he put every one of them into the
+guard-house; after which Bob and his companions went to the quarters and
+tumbled into their bunks.
+
+Great was the astonishment among the soldiers the next morning when it
+became known that the expedition, which they supposed had gone out in
+search of the hostiles, had returned to the fort and captured thirty
+armed men, and that the work had been done so quietly that the sentry at
+the gate never knew anything about it until it was all over. Of course
+they were quite at a loss to determine who it was that told the colonel
+about it; and the general impression seemed to be that if there were a
+traitor among the deserters, he had allowed himself to be captured with
+the others in order to avoid suspicion.
+
+Among the non-commissioned officers who had attempted to desert was one
+of the corporals belonging to Bob's troop, and the next morning Bob was
+ordered to take his place and do duty as corporal of the guard. He saw
+the prisoners served with breakfast, and the numerous orders he had to
+give opened the eyes of one of them, who began to think he had made a
+discovery. And so he had, but he could not prove it.
+
+"I'll tell you what's a fact, boys," said Bristow as he walked to a
+remote corner of his prison with a cup of coffee in one hand and some
+cracker and bacon in the other: "I know whom we have to thank for our
+arrest."
+
+"Who is it?" asked a dozen voices at once.
+
+"I'd like to send him my compliments in the shape of a bullet from my
+carbine," said the corporal whose place Bob was then filling. "Tell us
+who he is, so that we can improve the first chance to get even with
+him."
+
+"There he is," said Bristow, shaking his piece of cracker at Bob. "He
+has been trying to get on the blind side of the officers for a long
+time, as you all know, and he has accomplished his object at last by
+going back on his comrades."
+
+The prisoners looked at Bob as if they expected him to deny the
+accusation; but, to the disappointment of some of them who really liked
+him, he had nothing to say.
+
+"Why don't you speak up and declare that it isn't so?" demanded the
+corporal.
+
+"Because he dare not," exclaimed Bristow. "He couldn't without telling a
+lie, and, as he is a good little boy, he wouldn't do that for the
+world."
+
+"I don't believe he did it," said another of the culprits. "He is not
+one of us, and how could he have found it out? I believe that the
+traitor is right here in the guard-house under arrest."
+
+"I know he isn't," declared Bristow. "Bob Owens is the only traitor
+there is, and you may depend upon it. Now, let me tell you just what is
+going to happen when the court-martial comes off: it will be proved to
+the satisfaction of all of you that Owens found out about our plans in
+some way or other, and went straight to the colonel with them. You will
+be disrated, Corporal Jim, and Lieutenant Earle, in order to reward Bob
+for carrying tales and to encourage him to carry more, will give him
+your place. Why, he has just as good as got the stripes on his arm
+now."
+
+Corporal Jim looked daggers at Bob, and declared that if he was the one
+who had disclosed their plot to the colonel, he was too mean for any
+use, and ought to be drummed out of the fort.
+
+"I promised that if I ever found out who the informer was I would serve
+him worse than that," said Bristow in savage tones. "I shall keep my
+promise, too, if I ever get the chance, for I am one who never forgets
+an injury."
+
+Bob Owens--who, as we know, was not wanting in physical courage--was not
+at all alarmed by this threat and a good many others like it to which he
+listened during the fifteen minutes the prisoners were occupied in
+eating their breakfast. He believed that he was able to take care of No.
+1; and when the critical time came, as it did a few weeks later, he
+proved to the satisfaction of everybody that his confidence in himself
+was not misplaced.
+
+The court-martial was not long delayed, and the findings being approved
+by the proper authorities, the sentences were promptly carried out. The
+culprits were confined in the guard-house for different periods of time,
+those who had been the most active in inducing their comrades to desert
+serving a longer sentence than their victims, and fines were imposed
+upon all of them, Bristow's being by far the heaviest, as he was proved
+to be the ringleader. He and Gus Robbins--both of whom had been almost
+constantly in trouble ever since they arrived at the post--were given to
+understand that if they were detected in another attempt at desertion
+they could make up their minds to see the inside of the military prison
+at Fort Leavenworth. Bristow proved to be a first-class prophet. During
+the progress of the trial it came out that Bob Owens was the one who
+discovered the plot, and that through him it was communicated to the
+colonel. Corporal Jim was of course reduced to the ranks, and Bob was
+promoted to fill the vacancy.
+
+During the next few weeks nothing of interest happened at the fort. The
+deserters were released as fast as the terms for which they were
+sentenced expired, some of them penitent and fully resolved to do better
+in future, while the others were more than ever determined to escape
+from military control, in spite of all the officers and guards that
+could be placed around them. They carried out their determination, too,
+at every opportunity, deserting in parties numbering half a dozen or so,
+and they generally succeeded in eluding pursuit. It was a singular fact
+that when the pursuers were commanded by commissioned officers they very
+often returned without having accomplished anything, but when they were
+commanded by sergeants or corporals they were almost always successful.
+Luck was on the side of the "non-coms," and the colonel finally learned
+to put a great deal of confidence in them. Bob Owens was particularly
+fortunate in this respect, and that was the reason his superior sent for
+him one morning after the officer of the day had reported that seven men
+had deserted during the previous night, taking their arms and a supply
+of ammunition with them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING.
+
+
+"Corporal," said the commandant, taking off his eye-glasses with a jerk,
+as he always did when he was about to say something emphatic, "there are
+the names of seven men who deserted last night. I want you to take
+command of a squad and follow them up and arrest them."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Bob.
+
+"I don't know which way they went, or anything about it," continued the
+colonel. "That is something you will have to find out for yourself. I
+_do_ know, however, that they went on foot, and that they are armed and
+well supplied with ammunition. I want you to capture them at all
+hazards--at all hazards, I say," repeated the colonel, bringing his open
+hand down upon the table with a ringing slap. "If you come back without
+them you need not offer any excuses, for I shall not listen to them.
+Arrest anybody you catch outside the stockade wearing a United States
+uniform, no matter who he is. There have been no passes granted this
+morning, and no one except the guards and the officer of the day has any
+business outside. That's all."
+
+Bob saluted and hurried from the room. As he passed through the hall he
+glanced at the list he held in his hand, and saw that it was headed by
+the names of Bristow and Gus Robbins.
+
+"This is about the easiest job I have had yet, and these fellows are
+just as good as captured already," said he to himself. "I know right
+where to look for them, and I wouldn't be in their shoes for all the
+money the paymaster had in his safe the last time he was here. They are
+booked for Leavenworth, sure.--May I go out, Willis?" he asked of the
+sentry at the gate; "I am acting under orders."
+
+"That's all right," was the reply; "the officer of the day told me to
+pass you. You are going after those deserters, I suppose? Well, now,
+look here," added the sentry, after looking all around to make sure that
+there was no officer in sight: "you remember those mulewhackers who
+brought that freight here the other day, don't you? Well, Bristow and
+the rest have gone off to join them. I am certain of it, for I heard
+Bristow talking with them, and they assured him that the wagon-master
+would give him steady work and good wages if he would hire out to him.
+Bristow didn't hesitate to talk with them about it in the presence of a
+dozen of us."
+
+"That was only a ruse on his part," said Bob confidently. "If I followed
+the trail of those teamsters I should have my trouble for my pains. I am
+going as straight toward Brownsville as I can go, and I shall have my
+hand on Mr. Bristow's collar before I have gone thirty miles. You may
+rest assured that I shall not come back without him, for if I do I don't
+know what the colonel will say to me."
+
+Bob hastened toward the place where the horses were picketed, and there
+he found the officer of the day and the six picked men who had been
+detailed to accompany him. It was the work of but a few minutes to lead
+their horses into the fort and put the saddles and bridles on them; and
+when this had been done, and Bob and his men had secured their carbines,
+sabres and revolvers and put two days' rations in their haversacks, they
+mounted and rode through the gate at a sharp trot. They were quiet and
+orderly enough as long as they remained within sight of the fort, but
+when the first ridge over which they passed shut them out from view they
+abandoned their efforts to keep in column, threw off all restraint and
+shouted and sang at the top of their voices. They looked upon an
+expedition like this as a "lark," and enjoyed it as much as a schoolboy
+enjoys a picnic.
+
+Bob did not stop at the first ranches he passed, for he knew that the
+deserters (provided, of course, that they had fled along that trail)
+must have gone by them in the night, and that consequently their inmates
+could give him no information. Besides, Bob had learned by experience
+that there was very little confidence to be placed in anything the
+ranchemen might say regarding a deserter. A good many of them had served
+in the army during the war, and, knowing how very hard is the life a
+soldier leads, they sympathized with him in his efforts to escape, and
+aided him by every means in their power. Where there was one farmer or
+stock-raiser who would give a squad like Bob's any information that
+could be relied on, there were a dozen who would conceal the deserter in
+their houses and send his pursuers off on the wrong trail.
+
+After Bob and his troopers had ridden about fifteen miles, and had
+shouted and sung off a little of their surplus enthusiasm, they relapsed
+into silence and settled down to business. They halted on the top of
+every ridge to survey the country before them, and called at every
+ranche that lay along their route; but nothing was to be seen or heard
+of Bristow and his party. About noon they came within sight of a
+squatter's cabin, and Bob decided to stop there and eat dinner. The
+owner of the cabin was at home, and he welcomed the horsemen with every
+appearance of cordiality.
+
+"Alight an' hitch, strangers," said he, when he had succeeded in
+quieting the small army of dogs which came out from under the cabin to
+dispute the further advance of the troopers. "You're as welcome as the
+flowers in May."
+
+"Thank you," said Bob as he swung himself from his saddle. "We intend to
+stop here and rest for an hour or so. We'll boil our coffee and cook our
+rations on your stove, if you have no objections."
+
+"I ain't got no stove," replied the squatter hastily--"leastways, none
+that you can do cookin' on," he added, with some confusion, when he saw
+Bob and one or two of his men look up at the stovepipe which projected
+above the roof.
+
+"All right!" replied the corporal, silencing by a look one of the
+troopers who was about to say something. "Then we shall have to build a
+fire outside; but that will do just as well, for we are used to cooking
+our grub in that way.--Now, Carey, if you and Loring will skirmish
+around and find some wood and start the coffee-pot going, we will look
+out for your nags."
+
+"Corporal," whispered one of the troopers, "there's a bug under that
+chip. In other words, this old rascal has some reason for wishing to
+keep us out of his cabin."
+
+"Say nothing out loud," replied Bob with a warning gesture. "We are on
+the right track, and I know it. If we fail now, it will be through our
+own blundering."
+
+Having seen the horses staked out, Bob walked back to the cabin, and
+found the squatter in conversation with Carey and Loring. His first
+words indicated that he had been trying to pump them, but without
+success.
+
+"Say, soldier, where might you be a-travellin' to?" he asked as Bob
+came up. "I asked them two fellows, an' they told me I had better ask
+you."
+
+"We are looking for seven deserters who passed this way some time this
+morning," answered Bob. "They were on foot and carried carbines. Seen
+anything of such a party?"
+
+The squatter brought his hands together with a loud slap before he
+replied.
+
+"I jest knowed them fellows wasn't what they allowed they was," said he.
+"In course I seed 'em, an' they told me they was a-lookin' for deserters
+themselves. They went off that way, toward the old Brazos trail," added
+the squatter, pointing in a direction which lay exactly at right angles
+with the course Bob had been pursuing.
+
+"Did they?" exclaimed the corporal with a great show of eagerness.
+"Thank you for the information. We will go that way too as soon as we
+have eaten dinner. How long ago did they pass this way?"
+
+"Jest at daylight."
+
+"That's another lie," said Bob to himself. "They didn't desert until
+after midnight, and they couldn't have travelled between fifteen and
+twenty miles in less than five hours on foot. An infantryman might do
+it on a pinch, but a trooper couldn't."
+
+"You'll have to hurry up if you want to ketch 'em," continued the
+squatter, who seemed to grow nervous when he saw how deliberately the
+troopers went about their preparations for dinner. "They was a-lumberin'
+along right peart."
+
+"Oh, there's no need that we should throw ourselves into a
+perspiration," replied Bob indifferently. "We don't care if we don't
+find them for a week. You see, when we are out on an expedition like
+this we are not obliged to drill, and our pay goes on just the same. If
+you have anything good to eat, trot it out; we're wealthy."
+
+But the squatter protested that he had nothing in his cabin except bacon
+and crackers, and his supply of these necessary articles was so small
+that he could not possibly spare any of it. He said so much on this
+point that the troopers would have been dull indeed if they had not
+suspected something.
+
+"He wants to get us away from here, doesn't he?" said Carey as soon as
+he had a chance to speak to Bob. "He thinks that if he provides us with
+a good dinner we will spend a long time in eating it. Now, corporal, I
+will bet you anything you please that--"
+
+"I know," interrupted Bob, "and I want you to take a look into the
+matter at once. This is my plan."
+
+Here Bob whispered some rapid instructions to the trooper, who winked
+first one eye and then the other to show that he understood them.
+Pulling his pipe from his pocket, he proceeded to fill it with tobacco,
+while Bob walked up to the squatter, and, taking him confidentially by
+the arm, said, as he led him out of earshot of the men, who had seated
+themselves about the fire,
+
+"May I have a word with you in private? You see, I am an officer, and it
+won't do for me to talk too freely in the presence of those I command."
+
+So saying, Bob led the squatter behind the cabin and began making some
+very particular inquiries concerning Bristow and his party: What sort of
+looking fellows were they? What did they say? Did they get anything to
+eat at the cabin? and did his friend the squatter really think they had
+gone toward the old Brazos trail? The man was very uneasy, and seemed
+impatient to go back to the fire again; but by holding fast to his arm,
+and plying him with such questions as these, Bob managed to keep him
+behind the cabin for about five minutes, and that was long enough for
+Carey to carry out the orders that had been given him.
+
+As soon as Bob and the squatter disappeared around the corner of the
+cabin, Carey put his pipe into his mouth, and, enjoining silence upon
+his comrades by shaking his fore finger at them, he quickly mounted the
+steps that led to the porch and walked into the cabin. As he did so
+there was a faint rustling in one corner of the room, and, looking over
+his left shoulder without turning his head, Carey saw a man who was
+lying on a rude couch draw a blanket quickly over his face. In his
+eagerness to conceal his features the man probably forgot that he had a
+pair of feet, for he pulled the blanket up a little too high.
+
+"Aha! my fine lad," said the trooper as he noiselessly opened the
+stove-door and looked into it, as if he were searching for a live coal
+with which to light his pipe, "I see a pair of No. 12 army brogans, and
+also the lower portions of a pair of light blue breeches with a yellow
+stripe down the seams. Bryant, my boy, that's you. I see also that this
+stove is in perfect order, but as there are no coals in it, I'll have to
+get a light at the fire outside."
+
+When Carey came out of the cabin his comrades' faces were full of
+inquiry, but the trooper only winked at them and nodded his head, as if
+to say that he could tell something that would astonish them if he only
+felt so disposed.
+
+By this time dinner was ready, and Loring's loud call of "Coffee!"
+brought Bob and the squatter from behind the cabin. The latter accepted
+Loring's invitation to drink a cup of coffee with "the boys," but he
+disposed of it in great haste, hot as it was, as if he hoped by his
+example to induce them to do likewise. But Bob and his companions were
+in no hurry. They lingered a long time over their homely meal, and then
+the smokers were allowed to empty a pipe apiece before the order was
+given to "catch up." The squatter began to breathe easier after that,
+and when he saw the troopers in their saddles and ready to start, his
+delight was so apparent that they all noticed it.
+
+"Wa'l, good-bye, if you must go," said he cheerily. "Will you stop when
+you come back?"
+
+"Oh, you needn't expect to see us here again," said Bob. "If we go to
+Brazos City, we shall take a short cut across the country when we
+return to the fort."
+
+"That's where I reckon they're goin', as I told you; an' my advice would
+be for you to go straight to Brazos, without stoppin' on the way, an'
+when they get there you'll be all ready to take 'em in. See?"
+
+"Yes, I see," answered Bob, "and it's something worth thinking
+of.--Forward, column left! Trot! gallop!"
+
+The troopers moved rapidly away from the cabin, and, to the intense
+surprise and indignation of all his followers, who thought that their
+corporal had been deceived by the squatter, Bob led them off toward the
+old Brazos trail. At length one of them ventured to remonstrate.
+
+"Corporal," said he, "you're going wrong."
+
+"I know it," answered Bob.--"Carey, tell us what you saw in that cabin.
+Were our suspicions correct?"
+
+"Indeed they were," was Carey's reply. "In the first place, that stove
+was all right, but the squatter didn't want us to use it, for Bryant was
+hiding in the cabin. He was lying on the floor, covered up with a
+blanket."
+
+"How do you know it was Bryant?" asked Bob. "Did you see his face?"
+
+"No, I didn't; it was concealed by the blanket. I saw his feet," said
+Carey; and his answer was received by the troopers with a sigh of
+satisfaction. It was all that was needed to establish the identity of
+the man who had taken refuge in the squatter's cabin.
+
+"I didn't think I could be wrong," observed Bob, "for that man condemned
+himself before we had been in his presence ten minutes."
+
+"Why don't you go back and snatch Bryant?" demanded one of the troopers,
+seeing that the corporal did not slacken his pace. "Why didn't you do it
+while we were at the cabin?"
+
+"Because I had no right to do it," answered Bob. "If I should go to
+searching houses, I might get myself into trouble with the colonel.
+Another thing, boys: I shouldn't care to enter that man's castle to look
+for anything unless I was a civil officer and armed with a
+search-warrant. He is a hard one, unless his looks belie him."
+
+"I thought so myself," said Loring. "But you are not going back without
+Bryant, are you? What do you suppose he is doing there, anyway?"
+
+"Of course I shall not go back without him," answered Bob quietly. "He
+has probably hired out to that squatter, and we must watch our chance
+and catch him out of doors before we can arrest him."
+
+"Well, are you going to Brazos City?"
+
+"Not by a long shot. Bristow and the fellows who are still with him have
+not gone that way. As soon as we get behind that belt of post-oaks you
+see in advance of us, I intend to circle around and go back toward the
+river again."
+
+Although the troopers rode at a rapid gait, it took them nearly three
+hours to carry out this programme. At the end of that time they struck
+the old stage-road, which, in the days gone by, had served as a highway
+between Brownsville and some of the remote frontier-towns; but when the
+raiders forced the settlements back into the interior the stage-route
+was abandoned, and all that now remained to tell of the business that
+had once been done on it were the half-ruined stations which were
+scattered along the road at intervals of fifteen or twenty miles.
+
+These stations were built of stone, and were large enough to accommodate
+a dozen horses and half as many stable-men and drivers, besides the
+necessary food for both men and animals. Each station was provided with
+a "dug-out," a miniature fort, into which the employees of the route
+could retreat in case they were attacked by hostile Indians or Mexican
+raiders. It was simply a cellar of sufficient size to shelter nine or
+ten men at close quarters, covered with logs and dirt, and furnished
+with loopholes on all sides at the height of a foot or more above the
+ground. It looked like a mound of earth supported on logs about two feet
+high. The only way of getting into one of these little fortifications
+was through an underground passage-way which led from the stables. With
+these arrangements for their defence a few well-armed and determined men
+could hold their own against all the raiders that could get around them.
+
+About four o'clock in the afternoon Bob and his troopers came within
+sight of one of these stations, and as soon as their eyes rested upon it
+they drew up their horses with a jerk, at the same time uttering
+exclamations of astonishment and delight. Standing in front of the open
+door were several men dressed in the uniform of the regular army. They
+seemed to be holding a consultation, and so deeply engrossed were they
+with their deliberations that they did not notice the approach of the
+troopers, although the latter had stopped their horses on the summit of
+a high ridge in plain view of them.
+
+"I wonder if those are our men?" said Carey, with some excitement in his
+tones.
+
+"We shall soon know," was Bob's calm reply. "Whoever they are, they will
+have to give an account of themselves, for I am instructed to arrest
+everybody I meet wearing a uniform."
+
+"If they _are_ our fellows, we've got them corralled," remarked Loring.
+
+"Yes, but I don't much like the way we have 'corralled' them," returned
+Carey. "Do you see that dug-out about twenty yards from the northwest
+corner of the station? If they go in there they can laugh at us. The
+only way we could get them out would be to starve them out."
+
+"That would take too long," said Bob; and the tone in which the words
+were uttered made his comrades look at him with some curiosity. "Let's
+go down there and interview them, and then we shall know how to act.
+Forward! Trot!"
+
+Just as these commands were given a commotion among the men in front of
+the station indicated that somebody had sounded an alarm. They gazed at
+the troopers for a moment as if they were thunderstruck, and then made a
+simultaneous rush for the entrance. This action on their part told Bob
+as plainly as words that they were the men of whom he had been sent in
+pursuit, and that they did not intend to go back to the fort if they
+could help it. A moment later a loud slamming and pounding indicated
+that the deserters were trying to close and barricade the door. This had
+scarcely been accomplished when the troopers dashed up to the station
+and swung themselves out of their saddles.
+
+Leaving two of his men to hold the horses, Bob and the rest walked
+around the corner of the station and looked at the dug-out. There was a
+face in front of every loophole. Anybody could see that the deserters
+had the advantage of position, and the troopers wondered what Bob was
+going to do about it. They glanced at his face, but could see nothing
+there to tell them whether he was excited, afraid or discouraged. It
+wore its usual expression.
+
+"Well, boys," said Bob at length, "if you have grown tired of roaming
+about the country, come out, and we will go back to the post. The
+colonel wants to see you."
+
+"We don't doubt it, but we don't want to see him," replied a voice that
+Bob recognized at once. "We think we see ourselves going back! We didn't
+desert for that."
+
+"Gus Robbins, I am sorry that you are in there," said Bob. "What will
+you say to your father and mother when you see them again?"
+
+"Don't know, I am sure," answered Gus. "Haven't had any time to think
+about that. But you know yourself that I can't go back to the post. The
+colonel said that if I were ever court-marshaled again for desertion, I
+should go to prison; but I'll fight till I drop before I'll do that."
+
+"Say, Bob," shouted another voice, "do you remember what I said I would
+do to that informer if I ever found out who he was? You are the fellow,
+and here's your pay."
+
+It was Bristow who spoke, and as he uttered these words he thrust the
+muzzle of his carbine through the loophole in front of him. The chorus
+of ejaculations and remonstrances which arose from the inside of the
+dug-out showed that the rest of the deserters were not yet ready to
+resort to the use of their firearms; but Bristow was almost half crazed
+by rage and fear, and just as somebody seized him from behind and jerked
+him away from the loophole, his carbine roared, and Bob Owens turned
+halfway round and staggered back a step or two, as if he were struck and
+about to fall.
+
+This unexpected act excited Bob's troopers--with whom he was an especial
+favorite--almost to frenzy. Believing that he had been seriously if not
+fatally injured--it did not seem possible that anybody could miss a mark
+of the size of his body at the distance of ten paces--one of them sprang
+forward to support him, while the others discharged their carbines at
+the loopholes in rapid succession. Their volley was not entirely without
+effect, for a loud yell of agony came from the inside of the dug-out,
+bearing testimony to the fact that one bullet at least had found a
+target somewhere on the person of one of the deserters.
+
+[Illustration: STORMING THE DUG-OUT.]
+
+"Cease firing!" shouted Bob.
+
+He gently released himself from the embrace of the strong arms that had
+been thrown around him, and looked down at the gaping rent Bristow's
+bullet had made in the breast of his coat. The missile had passed
+through his thick carbine-sling and breast-belt, had cut into his coat,
+vest and shirt, and ploughed a deep furrow through a well-filled wallet
+which he carried in his inside pocket. Fortunately, it was a glancing
+shot, but the force with which it struck him was almost sufficient to
+knock him off his feet.
+
+"I'm not hurt at all," said he as his men crowded about him, "but I
+shall have to put a patch on my coat when I get back to the post.--I
+say, there," he shouted, addressing himself to the inmates of the
+dug-out, "was there anybody hurt in there? I thought I heard a yell."
+
+"Yes, and you'll hear another yell if you don't go away and let us
+alone," replied Bristow. "I'll make a better shot the next time I pull
+on you."
+
+"All right!" said Bob. "I'll give you a chance in just about five
+minutes.--Loring," he added in a lower tone, "you and Phillips stay here
+and hold the horses, and the rest of you follow me."
+
+"Are you going to storm them?" asked Loring.
+
+"I am," was the decided reply. "It is the only way I can get them out,
+for they'll not come of their own free will."
+
+"Then I sha'n't stay here and hold the horses; that's flat," declared
+Loring.
+
+"Neither will I," chimed in Phillips. "The picket-pins will hold them as
+well as we can."
+
+"All right!" replied Bob. "Stake them out, and while you are doing it
+Carey and I will see how we are going to get into the station."
+
+The door to which Bob now turned his attention did not prove to be a
+very serious obstacle. It was made of heavy planks, and if it had been
+in good condition it would have taken a good deal of chopping with a
+sharp axe before one could have forced his way through it; but the
+hinges had rusted off, and the planks had shrunk to such a degree that
+the bar which held the door in its place could be seen and reached with
+a sabre. A few blows with one of these weapons knocked this bar from its
+place, and when that was done, the door, having nothing to support it,
+fell back into the stable with a loud crash. Bob entered, with Carey at
+his heels, and, making his way to a small apartment which had once been
+used as a sleeping-room by the stable-men and drivers, he found there a
+trap-door, which he threw open, revealing a flight of rude steps leading
+into the underground passage that communicated with the dug-out. By this
+time the rest of the troopers arrived on the scene. They looked
+dubiously at the dark passage-way, and then they looked at Bob.
+
+"Do you really mean to go down there, Owens?" asked Loring. "It's sure
+death."
+
+"I believe so myself, but I am going all the same," replied Bob, who was
+thoroughly aroused by the attempt that had been made on his life. "If we
+are not willing to face death at any moment, we had no business to
+enlist. Must I go alone?"
+
+"Not much," was the unanimous response. "If you are bound to go, we are
+going too."
+
+"Leave your sabres and carbines here," commanded Bob. "They will only be
+in the way. Draw revolvers, but don't shoot except in self-defence."
+
+Bob knew as well as his men did that he was about to enter upon a very
+perilous undertaking. Bristow had shown that he was desperate enough to
+shoot, and he had even threatened that if he got another chance at Bob
+he would make a better shot than he did before. Some of the men who were
+with him were known to be hard characters, and it was very probable that
+they would back him up in the resistance he seemed determined to make.
+But Bob, having made up his mind as to the course he ought pursue, never
+once faltered. He was a soldier, and a soldier's first duty was to obey
+orders. He had been commanded to find the deserters and arrest them at
+all hazards; and, having obeyed the first part of his instructions, he
+was resolved to carry them out to the letter or perish in the attempt.
+
+"Now I think we are all ready," said Bob, after the sabres and carbines
+had been laid in the empty bunks and the revolvers drawn and examined.
+"Stick close to me, and remember that if we don't take them they will
+kill us. Bristow, Sandy and Talbot are the only men we have to fear, and
+if we can only get the drop on them we are all right. Come on."
+
+Although Bob was the youngest soldier, he was the calmest one of the
+seven troopers who descended those steps. When he reached the bottom he
+looked along the passage-way toward the dug-out, which was dimly lighted
+by the sunbeams which streamed in through the loopholes on the western
+side, and saw the deserters standing in line awaiting his approach.
+
+"Halt!" cried a voice. "Come a step nearer and you are all dead men."
+
+It was Bristow who spoke, and the words were followed by the ominous
+click of the lock of his carbine.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE NEW SCOUT.
+
+
+"Halt!" cried Bristow again. It was so dark in the passage-way that he
+could not see the troopers, but the sound of their footsteps told him
+that they were still advancing toward the dug-out. "That's twice," he
+continued. "If I have to halt you the third time, I'll send a bullet out
+there."
+
+"Bristow, you had better not try that," answered Bob, without the least
+tremor in his voice. "You have already done more than you will want to
+stand punishment for. Besides, I have got you covered, and if you move
+that carbine a hair's breadth you are a gone deserter."
+
+"And I've got the drop on you, Sandy," said Carey, thrusting his cocked
+revolver over Bob's shoulder, "so don't wink.--I say, corporal," he
+added in a whisper, "I don't see Talbot anywhere."
+
+"Neither do I," answered Bob. "Keep your eyes open, for he may be up to
+playing us some trick."
+
+Whether it was the cool determination exhibited by Bob and his men, or
+the consciousness that they were in the wrong that took all the fight
+out of the deserters, we cannot tell; but they were cowed by something,
+and when Corporal Owens and his troopers filed into the dug-out, and the
+former sternly commanded them to "throw up," every carbine was dropped
+to the ground and five pairs of hands were raised in the air.
+
+"Where's the other?" demanded Bob. "There ought to be six of you."
+
+"Here I am," said a faint voice.
+
+Bob looked in the direction from which the voice came, and saw Talbot
+sitting in a dark corner, his carbine lying by his side and both his
+hands raised above his head. He wore a handkerchief around his forehead,
+and, dim as the light was, Bob could see that it was streaked with
+blood.
+
+"Are you badly hurt?" he asked with some anxiety.
+
+"No, he isn't," exclaimed Bristow, before the wounded man could speak.
+"A glancing ball cut a little crease in his scalp, and he thinks he is
+killed."
+
+"I wish you had this little crease in your own scalp," said Talbot,
+looking savagely at Bristow. "If it hadn't been for you I never should
+have been here."
+
+"And if it hadn't been for _you_, and a few cowards just like you, we
+never should have been captured," retorted Bristow. "We could have held
+our own against a squad four times as big as the one Owens has brought
+with him; but now--"
+
+"That'll do," interrupted Bob. "I am not going to have any quarrelling
+here; and, Bristow, there's a court-martial coming, and you had better
+keep a quiet tongue in your head.--Carey, stand in the mouth of that
+passage-way.--Phillips, pick up the carbines, and the rest of you sound
+them."
+
+These orders were promptly obeyed, and when the "sounding" had been
+completed the deserters had not even a pocket-knife left.
+
+"Now, boys," continued Bob, "as you seem to like these quarters so well,
+you can stay here to-night--all except you, Talbot; you will come up and
+have your wound examined. We didn't come prepared to take care of
+injured men, but we will do the best we can for you.--We will get some
+supper for you men, and when you feel so inclined you can spread your
+blankets on the floor and go to sleep.--Go on, Carey."
+
+At a sign from Bob the troopers followed Carey, who led the way along
+the passage; then Talbot fell in, carrying his blanket over his
+shoulder, and Bob brought up the rear. The trap-door was shut, and
+Talbot was informed that the sleeping-room was to be his prison for the
+night. His wound was dressed with some cold coffee that Bob happened to
+have in his canteen, and the deserter was assured that there was no
+cause for apprehension. The wound, which was scarcely an inch long, was
+only skin-deep, but it bled profusely, and that was probably the reason
+why Talbot was so badly frightened. When two sentries had been
+posted--one at the door of the stable to keep an eye on Talbot, and the
+other at the dug-out to see that the deserters who were confined there
+did not attempt to work their way out during the night--Bob ordered
+supper to be served at once. He had performed a brave act, and now that
+the danger was over he began to realize that he had passed through
+something of an ordeal. He lifted his cap, and found that his forehead
+was covered with great drops of perspiration.
+
+"You have done well," said Carey, extending his hand to Bob when the
+latter came out of the sleeping-room. "I didn't know you had so much
+pluck. I shall take particular pains to see that the lieutenant hears of
+this day's work."
+
+"He will tell you that I did nothing but my duty," replied Bob, who was
+very glad to know that his men were satisfied with his conduct.
+
+"But it isn't everybody who is brave enough to do his duty," said Carey
+as he touched a match to the light-wood he had piled in the fireplace;
+"and perhaps the lieutenant will say that you ought to be a sergeant.
+That _was_ Bryant back there in that squatter's cabin, wasn't it? I
+looked for him the minute we entered the dug-out."
+
+"So did I," answered Bob, "and I saw at a glance that he wasn't there.
+We will attend to him to-morrow."
+
+"But perhaps he won't be there."
+
+"I think he will. It is my opinion that he has hired out to that
+squatter, and that he intends to trust to disguise to escape
+recognition. A man in citizen's clothes doesn't look much like the same
+man in uniform; did you ever notice that? But even if he isn't there,
+what odds does it make to us? We are having a good time, and I would
+just as soon stay out here on the plains for a week or ten days as to go
+back to the fort and drill."
+
+"I say, corporal," exclaimed the sentry who was stationed at the door,
+"here's somebody coming, and unless my eyes are going back on me he is
+dressed in uniform."
+
+"Who in the world can it be?" exclaimed Carey.
+
+"We'll soon find out," replied Bob, "for if he has got any of our
+uncle's clothes on we are bound to take him in, unless he proves to be
+an officer."
+
+Bob and his men hurried to the door, and, looking in the direction in
+which the sentry was gazing, saw a horseman about a quarter of a mile
+away. He had halted on the top of a ridge, and Loring, who had good
+"Plains eyes," declared that he was looking at them through a
+field-glass. He certainly was dressed in uniform, and had with him a
+small black mule which bore a good-sized pack on its back.
+
+"I can't make him out," said Bob, waving his hand in the air and
+beckoning the horseman to approach. "He is a soldier, but what is he
+doing with that pack-mule? It isn't Bryant, is it? If it is, where did
+he get that mule and that field-glass?--Loring, you and Phillips put the
+bridles on your horses--never mind the saddles--and stand by to give him
+a race if he tries to run away. Don't mount until I give the word."
+
+But the horseman had no intention of running away. He replied to Bob's
+signal by waving his hand over his head, and after putting away his
+field-glass rode down the ridge and came toward the station at a gallop.
+As he approached nearer the troopers saw that he was a stranger, and a
+very good-looking one, too. He was almost as dark as an Indian, his hair
+was long enough to reach to his shoulders, and the eyes that looked out
+from under the peak of his fatigue-cap were as black as midnight and as
+sharp as those of an eagle. He rode a magnificent horse, and his seat
+was easy and graceful. His only weapon--that is, the only one that could
+be seen--was a heavy Winchester rifle, which was slung at his back. If
+he was a soldier, he was a very fancy one, for his cavalry uniform,
+although in strict keeping with the regulations, was made of the finest
+material; he wore white gauntlet gloves on his hands; and instead of the
+ungainly, ill-fitting army shoe he wore fine boots, the heels of which
+were armed with small silver spurs. The troopers thought from his dress
+and carriage that he must be an officer, and when he drew rein in front
+of the station they stood at "attention" and saluted him.
+
+"I don't deserve that honor, boys," said the stranger with a laugh; "I
+am not a shoulder-strap."
+
+"You are not?" exclaimed Bob, who was not a little astonished as well as
+provoked at the mistake he had made. "Well, it seems to me that you are
+throwing on a good many frills for a private. Where do you belong?"
+
+"At Fort Lamoine," said the stranger; and the answer was given in a tone
+quite as curt as was that in which the question was asked.
+
+"So do I, but I don't remember to have seen you there, and so I shall
+have to ask you to give an account of yourself. Dismount."
+
+"I shall do as I please about that," replied the stranger, who had all
+the while been staring very hard at Bob.
+
+"Well, you won't do as you please about it," returned the corporal,
+while Carey walked up and took the stranger's horse by the bit. "You
+will do as _I_ please. If you belong at Fort Lamoine you will go there
+with me in the morning, and then I shall be sure you get there. I am
+acting under orders."
+
+The horseman thrust his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket, and
+pulling out a bill-book took from it a paper which he opened and handed
+to Bob to read.
+
+"If you are acting under orders I have no more to say," said he, "but
+there is something which I think will see me through until day after
+to-morrow. It is my furlough. Look here, partner," he added suddenly,
+"isn't your name Bob Owens?"
+
+The latter started as if he had been shot, his under jaw dropped down,
+and for a few seconds he stood looking at the speaker as if he could
+hardly believe his ears. Then a light seemed to break in upon him, and
+springing forward he grasped the horseman by the arm and fairly pulled
+him out of the saddle. After that he shook one of his hands with both
+his own and executed a sort of war-dance around him, while the troopers
+stood and looked on in speechless amazement.
+
+"George Ackerman, I am delighted to see you again," cried Bob as soon as
+he could speak. "I take it all back, George: I didn't mean to insult
+you."
+
+"It's Owens, isn't it?" said George, for it was he.
+
+"Of course it is; and if you hadn't been blind you would have known it
+as soon as you saw me," replied Bob.
+
+"I don't think my eyesight is any worse than your own, for you didn't
+know me until I called you by name," retorted George. "Your uniform
+tells me where you have been and what you have been doing since I last
+saw you, but it doesn't tell me how I came to lose you in Galveston so
+suddenly and mysteriously. If we had kept together a little while longer
+we should have been all right, for I had scarcely missed you before I
+ran against Mr. Gilbert--the friend to whom I wrote for money, you know.
+If you belong at Fort Lamoine, what are you doing here?"
+
+"Stake out your horse and mule and I will tell you all about it,"
+answered Bob. "But first tell me what right you have to wear those
+clothes."
+
+"I am a United States scout," replied George. "At least, that was the
+title under which I was sworn in, but it does not clearly explain the
+duties that are expected of me. I am to act as guide to the troops when
+they cross the river in pursuit of the raiders."
+
+"Oh yes," exclaimed Bob; "I remember all about it now. I was off after
+the hostiles when you came to the post and offered your services to the
+colonel. When I came back I found that the men had a good deal to say
+about our new scout, who, they said, looked about as much like a scout
+as they looked like the queen of England; but I had no idea who he was;
+and, seeing it's you, I'll not arrest you," he added with a
+laugh.--"Great Caesar! that was the second close call I have had to-day."
+
+"If I had had any idea that you were going to touch him I should have
+warned you," said George. "It won't do for a stranger to come within
+reach of him, and it's the greatest wonder in the world that he didn't
+knock your brains out."
+
+While the two friends were talking, George Ackerman, with the dexterity
+acquired by long experience, relieved the mule of his heavy pack and
+slipped the halter over his head, leaving the animal at liberty. Bob,
+judging the mule by those unruly members of his species that were
+employed in the quartermaster's department at the fort, stepped up and
+attempted to lay hold of his foretop; but the animal dodged him very
+cleverly, and, wheeling like lightning, sent both his heels at the boy's
+head. The latter dropped just in time to escape the blow, but he felt
+the "wind" of the heels in his face and heard them whistle close by his
+ear.
+
+"Does he always act that way when strangers approach him?" asked Bob as
+he picked up his cap. "If he does, you need not be afraid that anybody
+will steal him. I tried to catch him because I was afraid he would run
+off."
+
+"Oh, he'll not do that. I never think of staking him out, for he always
+stays by my horse, and I can catch him anywhere. There's a horse for
+you, Bob, and the best one I ever owned. He is a present from Mr.
+Gilbert, who bought him in Kentucky for his own private use, but when he
+found that I was going into the army he gave him to me, with the
+assurance that Fletcher and his band could never make a prisoner of me
+while I was on his back. I lost my old horse, Ranger, at the time I was
+captured by the Greasers, and he was killed at the battle of Queretaro.
+Now, what are you doing so far away from the fort?" asked George as he
+picked up his picket-pin and led the horse around the station to find a
+good place to stake him out. "How did you come to go into the army,
+anyway, and what have you been doing to win those stripes?"
+
+"It would take a long time to answer your last two questions," answered
+Bob, "and so we will leave them until the rest of the boys have gone to
+bed. I came here in pursuit of seven men who deserted last night."
+
+"You did? Well, Bob, your superiors must have a good deal of confidence
+in you to send you off on such an expedition. Where do you expect to
+find them?"
+
+"I have found them already, and arrested them too; that is, I have
+caught six of them, and I know where the other one is. I intend to take
+him in hand to-morrow, though, to tell the truth, I don't know just how
+I am going to do it. I could have arrested him to-day if I had had
+authority to take him out of a house; but I wasn't sure on that point,
+and so I let him go until I could have time to make up my mind to
+something. I got _that_ about fifteen minutes before you came up," said
+Bob, directing his friend's attention to the hole in his coat that had
+been made by Bristow's bullet. "My men returned the fire and slightly
+wounded one of the deserters, who is now laid out on his blanket in the
+sleeping-room. By the way, do you know Gus Robbins?"
+
+"I should say I did," replied George, after he had followed the course
+of the bullet through Bob's clothing and expressed his surprise at his
+friend's narrow escape. "He ran away from his home in Foxboro', and came
+down here to visit my cousin, who was at that time living with his
+father at my ranche. He and Ned, who were constantly pluming themselves
+on the numerous scrapes from which they had narrowly escaped, could not
+rest easy until they kicked up a row in the settlement, and they did it
+by shooting Mr. Cook's cattle. The consequence was, that I had to show
+them the way out of the country. Don't you remember I told you all about
+it on the morning we walked from that trapper's cabin to White River
+Landing? I say, Bob, have you any idea of becoming a trapper when your
+term of service expires?"
+
+"Nary idea," was the emphatic reply. "A soldier's life is hard enough
+for me, and there is quite as much danger in it as I care to face."
+
+"What do you know about Gus Robbins?" continued George. "He left my
+cousin Ned very suddenly in Brownsville, and none of us ever heard of
+him afterward. It can't be possible that he enlisted too?"
+
+"Yes, he did. He belongs to my troop, and is just as fond of getting
+into scrapes as he ever was. When he is not in the guard-house he is
+almost sure to be doing extra duty for some offence against military
+discipline. He was one of the deserters I was ordered to capture, and he
+is in the dug-out now. But I almost wish he had got away. You know him,
+and when I was arresting him I almost felt as if I were doing something
+against you. I haven't forgotten that you offered me a home, and--"
+
+"The obligation is all on my side," interrupted George. "You saved my
+life twice. Let's sit down here and talk a while. Go ahead and tell me
+something."
+
+The boys threw themselves on the grass near the place where George had
+staked out his horse, and Bob began and described some of the
+interesting incidents that had happened since he last saw the cub pilot.
+He told the truth in regard to everything, not even excepting the
+parting in Galveston. His experience in the army was rapidly working a
+change in him, and he had not told a wilful lie since he assured the
+recruiting-officer that he was an orphan and that there was no one in
+the world who had a right to say whether he should enlist or not.
+
+"I have done a good many mean things in my life, I am sorry to say," Bob
+added in winding up his story, "but about the meanest trick I ever
+played upon anybody I played upon you on the day we parted. I found
+fifty cents in my watch-pocket, which I had carelessly shoved in there
+when money was plenty, and I knew it would buy me supper and lodging. It
+wasn't enough for both of us, so I ran away from you and went off by
+myself. That's the way we became separated, and I tell you of it at the
+risk of losing your friendship."
+
+"You risk nothing at all," replied George, extending his hand. "I
+couldn't expect that you would take care of me and pay my way at the
+sacrifice of all your own personal comfort; but I do wish you had waited
+just a little longer, for then you never would have had to enlist. I am
+ready to prove that I think as much of you now as I ever did. I shall
+keep an eye on you until your term of service expires, and then you must
+go home with me. I am sole master there now--Mr. Gilbert is my guardian,
+but he never has a word to say--and as you have no home of your own--"
+
+"That was a lie, George," interrupted Bob. "I have a home at Rochdale, a
+few miles below Linwood, where I first pulled you out of the river--you
+know where it is--and as kind a father and mother as any scoundrel of my
+size ever had. When I ran away I intended to drop my identity
+altogether, and that was the reason I told you I was alone in the world.
+What do you think of me _now_?"
+
+George was greatly astonished at this confession, for he had put
+implicit faith in Bob's story. He was strictly truthful himself, and he
+could not understand how a boy as physically brave as Bob Owens had
+showed himself to be could be coward enough to tell a lie.
+
+"I feel sorry for you," said he at length; "and if I were in your place
+I would go home as soon as I received my discharge--if you keep on as
+you have begun you may rest assured that it will be an honorable
+one--and try to make amends for my misdeeds. Remember that
+
+    'No star is ever lost we once have seen;
+    We always may be what we might have been,'
+
+and go resolutely to work to 'live it down.' You've got the pluck to do
+it, I know."
+
+"Coffee!" shouted Carey, thrusting his head around the corner of the
+station.
+
+"By the way," continued George as he and Bob arose to their feet, "what
+did you mean by saying that, seeing it was I, you wouldn't arrest me?"
+
+"Oh, the colonel was mad when he started me out this morning, and
+ordered me to gobble up everybody--that is, privates and
+non-commissioned officers--I caught outside the stockade. But of course
+I couldn't touch you if I wanted to, for your leave of absence protects
+you. You will stay here to-night and ride to the fort with us to-morrow,
+will you not?"
+
+"Certainly I will. Having found you again, I am not going to leave you
+in a hurry. Say, Bob, would you have any objections to bringing Gus
+Robbins up to eat supper with us?"
+
+"None whatever. I am sorry to be obliged to keep him and the rest so
+closely confined, but I know that they are a slippery lot--every one of
+them has deserted before--and if I should let them get away now that I
+have got a grip on them, the colonel would give me Hail Columbia. Gus
+has got himself into a mess, George. The first time he deserted he was
+simply put into the guard-house and fined, but this escapade is going to
+land him at Leavenworth. Now I will make you acquainted with our boys,
+and then I will go down and tell Gus that you want to see him."
+
+After the new scout had been introduced to the troopers, Bob raised the
+trap-door and descended into the dug-out, while George opened his
+pack-saddle and took out of it a tin cup and plate, a can of condensed
+milk, a box or two of sardines and a few other delicacies, which he laid
+upon the table beside the simple fare that Carey had just served up. By
+the time he had finished the work of opening the cans with the aid of a
+formidable-looking hunting-knife which he drew from his boot-leg, Bob
+returned, followed by a soldier who looked so unlike the dashing,
+fashionably-dressed Gus Robbins he had seen in company with his cousin
+Ned that George could hardly bring himself to believe that he was the
+same boy. He looked pale and haggard; and that was not to be wondered
+at, for the prison at Fort Leavenworth was constantly looming up before
+him.
+
+George, as we know, had a very slight acquaintance with Gus Robbins,
+having passed only a few hours in his company, and he was under no
+obligations whatever to interest himself in his behalf; but when he saw
+how utterly miserable he was, his heart bled for him, and he at once hit
+upon a plan for getting him out of the trouble he had brought upon
+himself. He greeted Gus very cordially, gave him a seat beside himself
+at the table, and tried to put a little life into him by talking about
+almost everything except life in the army.
+
+The deserters must have thought that their captors felt very much elated
+over their success, for a noisier party than that which was gathered
+about that rough board table was never seen anywhere. Being almost
+entirely free from military restraint--sergeants and corporals do not
+hold their men with so tight a rein as the commissioned officers do,
+although they exact just as prompt obedience to their commands--they
+told stories and said witty things and sung songs until they were
+hoarse. The additions to their larder which George had been able to
+supply gave them a better supper than they were accustomed to, and they
+were merry over it.
+
+None of the members of Bob's squad had ever seen the new scout before,
+and, although they treated him with the greatest respect, they were
+sadly disappointed in him. The scouts with whom they were familiar were
+great, rough, bearded men, strong of limb and slovenly in dress, who had
+lived among the Indians all their lives, and had the reputation of being
+able to whip their weight in wild-cats; but this one looked as though he
+had but just come out of a fashionable tailor's shop, and, moreover, he
+was nothing but a boy in years. What could the colonel have been
+thinking of when he engaged this stripling to lead men across the river
+and into the midst of the desperadoes who were known to have their
+strongholds there? It was dangerous work, and the guide ought to be a
+person of courage and experience; and George didn't look as though he
+had either. That was what the troopers thought as they sat at the table
+casting furtive glances at the new scout, who was talking earnestly with
+Gus Robbins; but it was not long before they found out that it took a
+brave man to follow where he dared lead.
+
+The first trooper who finished his supper took the place of the sentry
+at the door, and the next relieved the one who was standing guard over
+the dug-out. When these two had satisfied their appetites the dishes
+were washed, the table was laid again and the deserters were ordered up.
+Some of them appeared to be very much disheartened, and would scarcely
+look their comrades in the face, while the others were so defiant, and
+had so much to say about the colonel who had ordered their arrest and
+the men who had carried those orders into execution, that Bob was
+obliged to warn them that if they did not eat more and jaw less he would
+put them back into the dug-out without any supper.
+
+When the deserters had had all they wanted to eat they were sent down to
+their prison, the outside sentry was relieved, and Bob stood guard at
+the door, with George for company. They had much to talk about, and it
+was long after midnight when they went to bed. They slept on the same
+blankets, and the new scout went off into the land of dreams with his
+arm thrown lovingly around the boy who had twice saved his life, and
+whom he had never expected to see again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED GUEST.
+
+
+"Well, old fellow, what do you think of me now?"
+
+It was George Ackerman who uttered these words, and the question was
+addressed to his herdsman, Zeke. The former stood in front of a
+full-length mirror that hung against the wall (among other extravagant
+and useless things for which Uncle John had spent his nephew's money
+were two elegant pier-glasses, one for his own room and the other for
+Ned's), and Zeke was sitting on the edge of a chair, with his elbows
+resting on his knees and his chin supported by his hands.
+
+When the commander of Fort Lamoine accepted his proffered services,
+George had asked for and received a furlough for thirty days to enable
+him to procure an outfit and to consult with his guardian in regard to
+the management of the ranche during his absence. That furlough had
+nearly expired, and George was about to start for the fort. The honest
+fellows who had so long been employed on the ranche that they began to
+look upon themselves as members of the Ackerman family could not bear
+the thought of parting from him, and Zeke especially felt very gloomy
+over it. He had often denounced, in the strongest terms, the
+circumstances which seemed to render it necessary that his young friend
+should cast his lot among the soldiers for a season, and on this
+particular morning he looked as though he had lost everything that was
+worth living for.
+
+George had just put on his new uniform for the first time, and no one,
+except a very intimate acquaintance, would have recognized in him the
+rough-looking cowboy whom we introduced to the reader in the first
+volume of this series of books. During the eighteen months he had lived
+in the pilot-house he had fallen in with some of the ways of those by
+whom he was surrounded, and grown very particular in regard to his
+personal appearance, although he did not by any means go to extremes, as
+his cousin Ned had done. As he placed the jaunty fatigue-cap over his
+long, curly hair he looked rather complacently at the handsome face and
+figure that were reflected from the polished surface of the mirror.
+
+"Come, Zeke, don't be cross," said he, walking up to his herdsman and
+giving him a slap on the back. "Say just one kind word to me before I
+go."
+
+"I won't," growled Zeke in reply.
+
+"Then wish me good luck in my new calling," added George.
+
+"I won't," repeated the herdsman in a still louder tone. "You're always
+going off on some new callin' or another, an' I don't see no sort of
+sense in it. Didn't I stay home here, quiet an' peaceable, takin' care
+of your critters, while you was a-philanderin' up and down the river on
+boats that was likely at any minute to burn up or bust their boilers?
+Now that you have got safe home again, why in creation don't you stay
+here? Good land o' Goshen!" shouted Zeke, jumping up, spreading out his
+feet and flourishing both his huge fists in the air, "of all the fool
+notions that ever a livin' boy got into his head--"
+
+"That'll do, Zeke," interrupted George with a laugh. "I have heard that
+a thousand times, more or less, already. You will bid me good-bye when
+I get ready to go, I suppose?"
+
+"I s'pose I won't do nothin' of the kind," exclaimed Zeke. "Of all the
+fool notions that ever a livin' boy--"
+
+"I understand. Come here and pack my clothes-bag for me; you can do it
+better than I can."
+
+"I won't. Them things is goin' to hang you higher'n the moon the first
+you know," said Zeke, scowling savagely at the elegant Mexican costume
+which George lifted from the bed. "Don't you never go 'crost the river
+with them duds on, 'cause if you do Fletcher'll string you up for a
+spy."
+
+"Not in peace-times, I guess," answered George.
+
+"What odds does it make to sich as him whether it's peace-times or not?
+You'll see."
+
+"Well, he will have to catch me before he hangs me. Go and tell the cook
+that I am getting tired of waiting for breakfast."
+
+"I won't; I won't never do nothin' for you no more, nor say another word
+to you, nuther."
+
+"I am sorry you feel so bad about it," said George as he proceeded to
+pack his clothes away in a canvas bag he had provided for that purpose;
+"but the thing is done, and it can't be undone."
+
+"I don't care if the Greasers come over here next full moon an' steal
+every huf an' horn you've got," exclaimed the angry herdsman.
+
+"I do," replied George; "I don't want them to do anything of the kind. I
+don't want them to steal another steer from me or anybody else, and that
+is the very reason I became a scout. Our troops are going to teach those
+fellows to stay on their own side of the river, and I am going to help
+them do it."
+
+"There's enough without you," growled Zeke.
+
+"Suppose that everybody thought so; where would we get the men to fight
+our battles?--What in the world is that?"
+
+For just then there was a terrific uproar on the porch. Above the
+stamping of heavy boots and hoarse but subdued ejaculations of rage,
+such as men sometimes utter when they are engaged in a fierce struggle,
+arose the voice of one who spoke in pleading accents, but whose words
+suddenly ceased with a kind of gasping sound, as if his throat had been
+seized by a strong hand. Zeke sat up on his chair and looked at George,
+whose face expressed the utmost bewilderment. Before either of them
+could speak the door was thrown open with great violence, and a
+dishevelled and half-strangled man, dressed in a dingy blue jacket and a
+pair of dirty leather trousers, was pitched into the room, with such
+force that when he brought up against Zeke that worthy herdsman was
+knocked out of his chair, and the two came to the floor together.
+
+"What do you mean by such work as this?" demanded George, looking first
+at the prostrate man and then toward the door, where stood Jake and Bob
+with their hands clenched and their faces flushed with anger.
+
+"Jest take a good squint at that feller's figger-head an' answer the
+question for yourself, Mr. George," answered Jake, shaking his fist at
+the man who had been so unceremoniously introduced into the room.--"Give
+it to him good an' strong, Zeke!--Well! I'll--be--blessed!--Won't you,
+Bob?"
+
+This exclamation was called forth by an action on the part of George
+Ackerman that astonished Jake and Bob beyond measure. Zeke had instantly
+recognized the man who had so unexpectedly prostrated him, and, seizing
+him by the back of the neck in his iron grasp, began shaking him as a
+dog would shake a rat. George also recognized the man after he had taken
+a second look at him, and springing forward he seized Zeke's arm and
+tore his grasp loose. Then he assisted the man to his feet, and taking
+his hand in his own shook it cordially.
+
+"Well, I _will_ be blessed!" repeated Jake, who stood looking the very
+picture of astonishment.--"Won't you, Bob?"
+
+"I should say I would," replied the latter, who was equally amazed.
+"That's something _I_ never expected to see--an Ackerman shaking hands
+with a cattle-thief!"
+
+"Springer," exclaimed George, "I am glad to see you again; and without
+your crutches, too! I hope you have entirely recovered."
+
+Yes, the man who had made his entrance into George's room in so unusual
+a manner was Springer, whom we have often spoken of as the wounded
+cattle-thief. He had, as we know, once been in the employ of George's
+father; but proving to be utterly unfit for the position he held, Mr.
+Ackerman had discharged him, and Springer had sought revenge by making
+an unsuccessful effort to burn the ranche. Of course he could not stay
+in Texas after that, so he fled across the river and joined his fortunes
+with the Contra-Guerrillas, a regiment of desperadoes in the employ of
+the ill-starred Maximilian. He belonged, with other renegade Americans,
+to Fletcher's band, who were the principal foragers for Maximilian's
+army; but instead of robbing the adherents of Juarez, who probably had
+no stock worth stealing, they made numerous raids across the river and
+ran off the cattle belonging to the Texans. Springer was one of the band
+who stampeded George's herd at Catfish Falls, and during the short
+skirmish that followed Zeke sent a bullet through each of his legs,
+wounding him severely. He managed to keep up with the band a few miles,
+but the rapid motion was too much for him, and he was finally abandoned
+by his companions, who hurried the captured cattle toward the river,
+leaving Springer to look out for himself.
+
+The pain occasioned by the wounds that had been inflicted upon him by
+Zeke's Winchester was so intense that the raider was forced to travel
+very slowly. Arriving on the banks of a little stream that ran across
+the trail he was pursuing, he rolled out of his saddle to quench his
+thirst, which had became almost unbearable; but his bridle slipping from
+his hand, his horse wandered away, and, as Springer was not able to
+walk, he could not catch him again. He sank helplessly down beside a
+tree, where he was presently discovered by George Ackerman, who was
+making his way on foot toward Mr. Gilbert's ranche. The boy ministered
+to his wants by bringing him water in his hat and sharing with him his
+slender stock of provisions, and Springer showed his gratitude by
+warning George of a plot which his uncle John and cousin Ned had laid
+against him. He went into all the details, but George refused to believe
+a word of it until subsequent events, which we have already described,
+proved to his entire satisfaction that the thief had told him nothing
+but the truth.
+
+After spending half an hour in the man's company, George caught his
+horse, assisted him into the saddle, and Springer succeeded in crossing
+into Mexico without being discovered by any of the settlers whom Zeke
+had gathered together to recapture George's herd. He made his way to Don
+Miguel's ranche, and there our hero found him when he was captured by
+Fletcher's men. The raider seemed to be sorry for his misdeeds, and
+George had assured him that if he ever made up his mind to turn over a
+new leaf and lead a different sort of life, he would assist him by every
+means in his power.
+
+"Springer," said George, drawing up an easy-chair for the use of his
+guest, "what brought you over on this side of the river? Have you
+abandoned Fletcher for good?"
+
+The cattle-thief gasped and coughed three or four times, as if he were
+trying to clear his throat of something that stuck there and choked his
+utterance, and finally nodded his head in reply.
+
+"Don't pay no attention to him, Mr. George!" exclaimed Bob. "He don't
+know nothin' but stealin' an' lyin', that feller don't, an' I wouldn't
+trust him as far as I could sling a yearlin'."
+
+"If it wasn't for sich fellers as him you could stay to hum quiet an'
+peaceable like, an' not have to go off fur a soldier," added Jake.
+
+"When I was a prisoner among the Greasers he gave me advice that
+assisted me in making my escape, and why should I not treat him kindly?"
+demanded George, turning indignantly upon the speakers. "No visitor at
+the Ackerman ranche was ever treated so shamefully before, and I tell
+you I don't want the thing repeated."
+
+"Why, Mr. George," stammered Jake, "he rid up to the porch an' said he
+wanted to speak to you, an' so we brung him in--me an' Bob did."
+
+"Go and tell the cook to put another plate on the table and to hurry up
+breakfast," said George with an air of disgust.
+
+"Mr. George," said Zeke solemnly, "do you mean by that that you're goin'
+to break bread with this--this varmint?"
+
+"I mean that Springer is going to eat a good breakfast with me, if that
+is what you want to know," replied George.
+
+"Then, Bob, you needn't say nothin' about that there other plate,"
+continued the herdsman, picking up his hat and moving toward the door.
+"Springer can have the one I was goin' to use."
+
+"Zeke, sit down and behave yourself," exclaimed George.
+
+"No, I won't. I ain't agoin' to eat salt with a man what tried to burn
+this ranche over your dead father's head, an' you a little babby at the
+time, without no power to help yourself. I don't know what this family
+is comin' to, anyhow."
+
+"No more do I," chimed in Bob, while he and Jake looked daggers at their
+employer's new guest. "Things ain't as they used to be in the good ole
+days. I won't wait on no table that he sets at."
+
+As if moved by a common impulse, the three men left the room, Zeke
+closing the door behind him with no gentle hand. The cattle-thief seemed
+to be greatly relieved to see them go, but their extraordinary conduct
+made him very uneasy, and he looked toward George to see what the latter
+thought about it.
+
+"Never mind them," said the boy encouragingly. "They were employed on
+this ranche before I was born, and have finally come to think that they
+have more rights here than I have. Now, what did you want to see me for?
+How can I help you? If I were going to stay at home, so that I could
+stand between you and the settlers, I would give you a herdsman's berth,
+if that is what you want; but I am going to Fort Lamoine as soon as I
+have packed my things and disposed of my breakfast, and I may not be
+back for a year. I am a United States scout."
+
+"I wondered what you were doin' with them soldier-clothes on; an' that
+explains it," said Springer, speaking with difficulty. "I don't reckon
+you can help me none jest now, but mebbe I can help you by puttin' you
+on your guard agin' Fletcher."
+
+"Is he after me again?" cried George. "I was in hope I had seen and
+heard the last of him."
+
+"Them kind of fellers is always turnin' up when they isn't wanted,"
+replied Springer. "He's come back to his ole hole at that there ranche,
+bringin' a good many of his ole men with him, an' some new ones that
+would be wusser than he is, only that ain't possible. Amongst them all,
+they have laid a plan to visit you next full moon."
+
+"Let them come," said George, snapping his fingers in the air; "they'll
+not get me, or any stock either."
+
+"He wants you more'n he wants stock," continued Springer. "That is, he
+wants you first. Your uncle John put the very mischief into that there
+feller's head, an' he's goin' to make a pris'ner of you, like he did
+afore. He knows that you are master here now--that you've got more money
+an' cattle than you know what to do with; an' he thinks you would rather
+give 'em all up than lose your liberty."
+
+"No doubt I would," answered George, "but before he can make any demands
+upon me he must catch me. That he will never do, for the next time--"
+
+He was about to say that the next time he saw Don Miguel's ranche he
+would be so strongly backed up that he would stand in no fear of the
+boss cattle-thief and his band. But he didn't say it, for he did not
+know how far it would be safe to trust his friend Springer. He need not
+have been so particular on this point, however, for the cattle-thief
+knew as much about the contemplated movements of General Ord's forces as
+George did himself. The Mexican authorities had been notified that if
+the raids from their side of the river were not stopped our troops would
+take the matter in hand and punish the thieves wherever they could be
+found; and those same authorities had been accommodating enough to warn
+Fletcher, and so put him on his guard.
+
+"Where have you been since I last saw you?" inquired George, "and what
+has become of my horse? What did the 'boss' say when he found I had
+slipped through his fingers? I told you I shouldn't stay there and allow
+myself to be robbed. Did he follow me?"
+
+"No, he didn't foller you, 'cause nobody knowed till mornin' come that
+you had skipped out," answered Springer. "When Fletcher went to call
+you to breakfast, an' you wasn't there, he thought you was a-loafin'
+around somewheres about the ranche; but when somebody told him that the
+hoss with the four white feet, that follered us acrost the river on the
+night we tried to get the strong-box out of this house, was gone, he
+knowed in a minute what was up, an' he was about the maddest man you
+ever see. But he couldn't take time to hunt you up, an' all he could do
+was to swear that he'd hold fast to you the next time he got his hands
+on to you."
+
+"He'll never get his hands on me again," said George confidently.
+
+"I hope he won't, but if he does it'll be worse for you. That there
+black hoss of your'n is dead," continued Springer; "he was shot at
+Queretaro. You see, when we got down to the place where the fightin' was
+goin' on, we knowed in a minute that Max couldn't hold out much longer,
+so we started one dark night to cross over to Juarez. His soldiers seen
+us comin', an', thinkin' that we were up to some trick or another, they
+turned loose on us an' cut us up fearful."
+
+"It served you just right," said George, with honest indignation. "You
+had no business to go in with Maximilian in the first place, but having
+joined him you ought to have stood by him to the last."
+
+"We _did_ stand by him after that, 'cause we had to," answered Springer.
+"But it didn't take 'em long to captur' the place, an' it didn't take
+them long either to say what should be done with Max. He an' Mejia an'
+Miramon were took out on a hill near the ruins of an old stone fort an'
+shot. I didn't see it, 'cause I was under guard with Fletcher an' the
+rest; but I heared some of 'em who did see it say that just before the
+shooting was done Max he says to Miramon, 'The bravest man should have
+the post of honor;' so he puts Miramon in the middle, an' Max he stood
+on the left. It was a mean piece of business all the way through," said
+Springer, drawing his hand nervously across his forehead, "an' I am
+powerful glad that I am well out of it. Now, Mr. George, seein' as how
+you belong to the army, mebbe I had oughter tell you something. You
+remember them two Greasers who shot that cowboy down to Rio Grande City,
+an' was put in jail for it, don't you? Well, they belong to our gang,
+an' Fletcher an' the rest are getting ready to go down there an' take
+'em out."
+
+"Very well. Go right down to the commanding officer at Eagle Pass and
+tell him of it," said George promptly. "Then come up to Fort Lamoine,
+and we'll see if the colonel won't do something for Fletcher when he
+comes over here to capture me."
+
+"An' there's another thing I had oughter tell you, Mr. George,"
+continued Springer, sinking his voice almost to a whisper. "I come over
+here as a sort of spy, like. I am to find out all I can about your
+ways--where you go of nights, an' all that, you know--an' then I am to
+go down to Rio City, take a look about the jail, see how many guards
+there are, an' everything else that is worth knowin', an' after that I
+am to go back an' tell Fletcher."
+
+"I am glad you didn't say so while my men were in here," observed
+George.
+
+"I was just a trifle too sharp for that," said Springer, shaking his
+head and looking very wise. "I don't want to make them any madder at me
+than they be now."
+
+"But you are not going back to Fletcher with any news, are you? You told
+me you had left him for good."
+
+"Mr. George," said Springer earnestly, "I ain't agoin' to take no news
+acrost the river that will do anybody there any good. I ain't forgot
+that you helped me when I was a-starving for grub an' water, and I ain't
+likely to forget it, nuther. I did say I had quit them fellers for good,
+an' when I said it I meant it; but you can see by the way your own men
+used me, right here under your nose, that I couldn't stay here without
+nobody to back me up. I can't starve, so I'll have to go back till you
+come home again."
+
+"If you will stay on this side of the river I will see that you don't
+starve," replied George. "After you have told the commanding officer at
+Eagle Pass of the attempt that is to be made to release those murderers,
+come up to Fort Lamoine and I will find some honest work for you to do.
+The soldiers at the post are not acquainted with you, and consequently
+there will be no one to trouble you. I will say that you used to work
+for my father, and that will help you to a position."
+
+While Springer was trying to make the boy understand how grateful he was
+to him for his kindness, there was a rap at the door, and Bob thrust his
+head into the room to announce in a surly tone that breakfast was
+ready.
+
+"Where's Zeke?" asked George.
+
+"Gone," was the laconic reply.
+
+"All right! If he is foolish enough to go off without any breakfast, let
+him go. He'll meet me somewhere along the trail and say good-bye, I
+know. Bob," added George, pointing to the clothes-bag, which he had
+packed while he and his visitor were conversing, "put this into the
+pack-saddle, and have everything ready, so that I can start as soon as I
+have eaten breakfast.--Come on, Springer."
+
+George led the way into an adjoining room, and found an excellent
+breakfast waiting for him. The cook, knowing that this was the last meal
+the young master of the ranche would eat at that table for long months
+to come, had exhausted all his knowledge of the cuisine in the effort to
+serve up a breakfast that would tempt George to eat, no matter whether
+he was hungry or not.
+
+True to his promise, Bob kept out of the breakfast-room, and George and
+his guest were obliged to wait on themselves; but as they were used to
+that, they got on very well. While they were eating George once more
+repeated the instructions he had given Springer, and reiterated his
+promise to furnish him with steady employment and give him a chance to
+make an honest living.
+
+Breakfast over, George accompanied his guest to the door, and saw him
+ride away toward Eagle Pass. As soon as he was out of sight the boy went
+into the house after his weapons and to take leave of the servants, who
+were good-natured enough now that Springer was gone. After shaking them
+all by the hand, and listening to their hearty wishes for his safe and
+speedy return, he mounted his horse, which stood at the porch saddled
+and bridled, took his pack-mule by the halter and rode away toward Mr.
+Gilbert's ranche. The first person to greet him as he drew rein in front
+of the door was Zeke, who had so emphatically declared that he would not
+have another word to say to him.
+
+"Where's that pizen varmint?" demanded the herdsman in no very amiable
+tones.
+
+"Look here, Zeke," replied George, "if you should happen to meet that
+man while I am gone, I want you to treat him civilly; do you understand?
+If you see him in trouble, I want you to help him out. He is sorry for
+what he has done, and intends to lead a better life; and if you don't
+assist him in every way you can, you are not the fellow I take you for."
+
+"Humph!" exclaimed Zeke contemptuously. "Sorry, ain't he? Wants to lead
+a better life, don't he? Well, it's mighty little chance he'll have if
+he makes a business of bumpin' up agin me the way he did this mornin', I
+bet you."
+
+"He couldn't help it; Jake and Bob threw him against you. I know he is
+in earnest, for he has proved it. He came to the ranch to tell me that
+my old friend Fletcher is coming over to capture me next full moon, and
+he has now gone down to warn the officer in command at Eagle Pass that
+an attempt will soon be made to liberate the murderers who are in jail
+there.--Good-morning, Mr. Gilbert. I have stopped to say good-bye."
+
+"Why don't you slap your foot down an' tell him he sha'n't go, Gilbert?"
+demanded Zeke.
+
+"I am as sorry to have him go as you are," replied Mr. Gilbert. "But it
+is to our interest to do all we can to break up this raiding business,
+and George can do more than any of us. In fact, he is the only one in
+the settlement who can do anything, for you know the colonel wouldn't
+accept the services of our company of Rangers when we offered them to
+him.--Come in, George, and say good-bye to Mrs. Gilbert and the girls."
+
+This was soon done, for the boy did not like to linger over the parting;
+but still, it was much harder for him to take leave of these good
+friends than he thought it would be. The whole family accompanied him to
+the door, and when he came out Zeke turned his back to him.
+
+"Say good-bye to me," said George, giving him a pat on the shoulder;
+"it's your last chance."
+
+"I don't care if it is," shouted the old fellow; "I won't do it."
+
+"Then I will say it to you: Good-bye, Zeke. It will be a long time
+before I see you again, if indeed I ever do, but I never shall forget
+you. You have been a good friend to me."
+
+This was altogether too much for the honest herdsman. He faced quickly
+about, and, seizing George's hand with a grip that brought tears to his
+eyes, churned it up and down like a pump-handle. Then he dropped it and
+turned away, while George, without saying another word, vaulted into his
+saddle and rode off. Zeke watched him as long as he remained in sight,
+and then in broken accents addressed the silent group who stood in the
+doorway:
+
+"Thar's that there boy."--here he waved his hand in the direction in
+which George had disappeared--"he was all I had, an' now he's gone off
+to fight them Greasers without askin' me would I let him go. I toted him
+in them there arms when he was a yellin' babby not knee-high to a duck;
+I put him on the fust hoss he ever rid; I slept under the same blanket
+an' herded cattle with him when he got bigger; I larnt him how to throw
+the lasso an' shoot the rifle; an' now he's went off an' left me alone!
+Dog-gone them pizen Greasers!" roared Zeke, flourishing both his fists
+in the air.
+
+He lingered a moment, looking rather sharply at Mr. Gilbert, as if he
+had half a mind to take him to task for giving his consent to George's
+"fool notion," and then, thinking better of it, he lumbered down the
+steps, mounted his horse and galloped off toward the place where he had
+left his herd in charge of an assistant.
+
+George camped two nights on the prairie, and on the third afternoon, an
+hour or two before sunset, he arrived within sight of one of the
+stage-company's deserted stables. Or, rather, it _was_ deserted the
+last time he saw it, but now there was an armed soldier in front of the
+door, and he was presently joined by others, one of whom, by signs,
+invited him to approach. George complied, and presently found himself
+surrounded by a squad of troopers under the command of Corporal Bob
+Owens, who greeted him as we have described.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+HOW BRYANT WAS CAPTURED.
+
+
+Reveille was sounded the next morning by Corporal Owens, who, having no
+drum or bugle at his command, sprang up at daylight and aroused his
+slumbering companions by shouting out the order, "Catch up!" More from
+the force of habit than anything else, he called the roll while he was
+bundling up the blankets on which he and George had slept, and, making
+the sergeant's salute to an imaginary officer, he announced: "All
+present or accounted for." Then Carey was ordered to boil the coffee,
+and Bob and the three troopers who were off duty went out to groom the
+horses. Having brought no brushes or currycombs with them, they were
+obliged to content themselves with rubbing the animals down with
+handfuls of grass; but they "went through the motions," as Bob expressed
+it, and that was all the most exacting officer could have expected of
+them under the circumstances.
+
+As soon as breakfast had been eaten the troopers and their prisoners set
+out on the return march, Bob and the new scout leading the way. Behind
+them came the deserters, guarded on each flank and in the rear by two
+cavalrymen. Their advance was necessarily slow, for the captives had
+travelled rapidly the day before in order to put a safe distance between
+themselves and the fort, and they were weary and footsore. Gus Robbins,
+especially, was nearly "done up." He was in a worse condition than
+Talbot was, for the latter seemed to have slept off the effects of his
+wound. George felt the greatest compassion for Gus, and offered to lend
+him his horse; but Bob, who had grown somewhat hardened to suffering
+during his experience in the army, positively forbade it.
+
+"It wouldn't do, George," said he, looking admiringly at his friend's
+sleek, well-conditioned animal, which was constantly champing his bit
+and tossing his head as if he were growing impatient at the slow
+progress they were making. "Gus would make a break for liberty sure, and
+as that nag of yours is able to distance anything in my party, I'd have
+to--" Here Bob tapped his carbine significantly. "That's something I
+don't want to do. Gus isn't so nearly exhausted as he seems to be. He
+is more distressed in mind than he is in body, for he is thinking of the
+prison at Fort Leavenworth. After we have gone a few miles we will rest
+them by taking them up behind us, but it wouldn't be a very bright trick
+to give one of them a horse to himself."
+
+About eleven o'clock a halt was ordered, and the deserters, who were
+riding behind the troopers, having dismounted, Corporal Owens took Carey
+off on one side and gave him some very emphatic instructions. Then he
+and George also dismounted, and, leaving their horses behind, made their
+way cautiously toward a ridge a short distance in advance of them. As
+they neared the top they threw themselves on their hands and knees and
+crept up until they could look over it. They were in plain view of the
+squatter's cabin at which the troopers had stopped to eat their dinner
+the day before. Bob took just one look at it, and then hastily backed
+down the ridge again.
+
+"Did you see that fellow chopping wood in front of the shanty?" said he,
+addressing himself to George. "That's the man I am looking for."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Am I sure that I have a pair of good eyes?" asked Bob in reply. "Of
+course I am. I recognized him in spite of his citizen's clothes. That
+squatter has rigged him out in some of his own duds, but they'll not
+save him if I can manage in some way to get between him and the cabin."
+
+"Perhaps, in order to make 'assurance doubly sure,' you had better take
+my field-glass and have another look at him," said George. "A false move
+might prove fatal to you, for it would show the squatter that you
+suspect him of harboring one of your men, and that would put both him
+and the deserter on their guard. But if that is your man, I am sorry for
+it."
+
+"Why are you?" demanded Bob, looking at his companion in great surprise.
+
+"I mean that I am sorry you found him here," George hastened to explain,
+"for the chances are that you will not take him without a fight.
+Peasley--that's the name of the owner of the cabin--is a notorious
+rough, and he would think no more of putting a bullet into you, if he
+thought he could escape the consequences, than he would of knocking over
+an antelope for breakfast."
+
+"I thought he looked like that kind of a chap," said Bob. "Well, if he
+wants a fight he can be accommodated at very short notice. That's my
+man, and I am going to have him, squatter or no squatter."
+
+As Bob gave utterance to this emphatic declaration he took the
+field-glass, which George handed over to him, crept up to the top of the
+ridge, and after taking a short survey of the cabin and its surroundings
+came back to his friend's side again.
+
+"I knew I couldn't be mistaken," said he. "I had a fair view of his
+face, and as I have seen him every day for the last year, of course I
+couldn't fail to recognize him. The squatter is sitting on the porch
+smoking his pipe. Now, how shall I go to work to nab him? That's the
+question."
+
+"Ride straight up to him and tell him that you want him," answered
+George. "I know of no easier way. I will go with you and see that
+Peasley doesn't double-team on you."
+
+"But Bryant will run into the house the moment he sees me," said Bob.
+
+"Then run right in after him and pull him out again," answered George
+promptly.
+
+"I am almost afraid to do it. You see, the civil law is supposed to be
+supreme, and we soldiers have to mind what we are about, or else
+there'll be a big row raised about 'military despotism' and all that.
+I'd have to surround the house and keep him in there until I could send
+to the post and get authority from the colonel to go in after him. That
+is something I shouldn't like to do, for I have carried this thing
+through so far without help from anybody, and I want to complete the
+work myself. If I should ask for advice, the colonel would probably send
+a shoulder-strap down here to rob me of all the glory I have won," added
+Bob with a smile.
+
+"Oh, you needn't laugh over it," exclaimed George. "You have covered
+yourself with glory. It isn't every fellow who would go down into a
+dug-out to capture six armed men after one of them had given positive
+proof that he was not afraid to shoot. That bullet-hole in your coat is
+a badge of honor. Now, I have just thought of something: I have brought
+with me a full suit of Mexican clothes, and also a saddle and bridle of
+the Mexican pattern. You are just about my size--"
+
+"That's the very idea--nothing could be better," exclaimed Bob, as he
+arose to his feet and led the way toward the place where he had left his
+men. "It will disguise me completely, won't it? I can ride up and get
+between him and the house before he suspects anything, can't I? But how
+about the squatter?"
+
+"I'll join you as soon as I see that you have corralled your man,"
+replied George. "And you had better tell your followers to hold
+themselves in readiness to come up promptly when I signal to them from
+the top of the ridge."
+
+The troopers awaited the boys' return with no little impatience, for the
+long consultation they had held on the ridge convinced them that their
+officer had discovered something on the other side of it. Bob gave them
+a wink and a nod, which instead of satisfying their curiosity only
+increased it, and then, to the surprise of all of them, began to divest
+himself of his outer clothing, while George threw off the canvas
+covering that protected his pack, and drew out of it an elegant
+silver-mounted saddle and bridle, and also a suit of clothes made in the
+height of the Mexican fashion.
+
+"If that man of yours is at all sharp he will notice those army-brogans
+the first thing, and so you had better pull them off and put on these,"
+said George, tossing a pair of light patent-leather shoes toward Bob.
+"There are the spurs. You had better take my horse too, for that 'U. S.'
+brand on your own nag would give you away in a minute. Now go easy, like
+an honest Greaser who is going about his legitimate business. Take my
+mule with you, for if you try to separate him from the horse he'll raise
+row enough to scare all the deserters out of the State."
+
+It is wonderful what an alteration is sometimes made in one's appearance
+by a mere change of clothing. After Bob had got into the Mexican suit
+and exchanged his cap for the wide sombrero with its gaudy cord and
+tassel, it was doubtful if there was one among his brother-troopers who
+would have recognized him if he had chanced to meet him unexpectedly.
+Although he was not quite yellow enough for a Mexican, he was
+nevertheless pretty well tanned, and George assured him that all he
+needed was a black moustache and a long goatee to transform him into a
+very good-looking Greaser.
+
+Everything being in readiness, Bob mounted George's horse, took the
+pack-mule's halter, which his friend passed up to him, and, after giving
+Carey instructions to bring up the squad and the prisoners promptly
+when he was signalled to do so, he rode slowly away, the new scout
+following a short distance in his rear, mounted on Bob's nag.
+
+Arriving at the top of the ridge, Corporal Owens rode over it without
+pausing, and had not proceeded far before he became aware that he was
+discovered. The squatter got up and came to the end of the porch, the
+deserter ceased his chopping and leaned on his axe, and both shaded
+their eyes with their hands and looked at him. It was plain that they
+were not very well pleased with the result of their observations, for,
+after gazing at him for a few seconds, the squatter returned to his seat
+and puffed furiously at his pipe, and the deserter resumed his chopping.
+At the same moment the dogs appeared in force from under the cabin,
+their every action indicating that they had been summoned by the voice
+of their master. They looked up at him, wagging their tails vigorously,
+and then, encouraged, no doubt, by a low hiss or an order to "hunt 'em
+up," began running about with their heads high in the air. Discovering
+the approaching horseman, they started for him on the instant, each one
+striving to lead in the race and to growl and bark louder than his
+companions.
+
+"They don't think much of Greasers in this part of the country," said
+Bob to himself; "and I don't blame them. If I were a stock-raiser I
+shouldn't feel very hospitably inclined toward a class of men who are
+always on the watch for a chance to jump down on me and steal my cattle.
+I wonder if I shall have pluck enough to dismount in the midst of all
+these dogs and make the arrest?" added Bob as the fierce brutes closed
+about him, all of them with their ears laid back close to their heads
+and their hair turned the wrong way, and some crouching at his side as
+if they were about to spring up and pull him out of his saddle.--"Get
+out! If you interfere with my business there won't be as many of you
+to-night as there were this morning. Aha! there's one of you out of the
+muss already."
+
+[Illustration: BOB CAPTURES THE DESERTER.]
+
+For just here the mule gave a tug at his halter, and Bob, looking over
+his shoulder to see what was the matter, caught a momentary glimpse of a
+tawny body as it rose in the air, and, turning a complete somersault,
+landed on the ground all in a heap. One of the dogs, in his eagerness to
+do something grand, had approached a little too close to the mule's
+heels--an impertinence which that sagacious quadruped promptly resented
+by kicking out with both hind feet and knocking his would-be assailant
+into a cocked hat. The dog was not killed, but he was terribly
+demoralized, and his howls of anguish did much to dampen the ardor of
+his companions, who quickly withdrew to a more respectful distance.
+
+Bob rode straight up to the house, but the squatter never looked at him,
+nor did the deserter stop his work. He drew rein in front of the porch,
+swung himself out of the saddle as quick as a flash, and, paying no
+attention to the dogs, which bayed him at a distance, but were too
+cowardly to assault him, he walked up to the deserter and tapped him on
+the shoulder.
+
+"Bryant, I want you," said he.
+
+The deserter, whose back was turned toward Bob, wheeled on the instant,
+revealing a face that was as white as a sheet. Bob backed around a
+little, so that he could keep one eye on Bryant while he watched the
+squatter with the other, and saw the man spring to his feet in the
+greatest astonishment, his pipe dropping from his mouth as he arose.
+
+"You didn't expect to see me again so soon, did you?" said Bob,
+addressing himself to nobody in particular.
+
+"Corporal Owens!" gasped the deserter, retreating a step or two, at the
+same time grasping his axe firmly in both hands and lifting it over his
+head. "Keep away from me; if you come a step nearer I'll--"
+
+"Drop it!" commanded Bob sternly; and Bryant obeyed, for he saw the
+muzzle of a cocked revolver looking him squarely in the face.
+
+All this happened in less time than we have taken to tell it, but
+meanwhile the squatter had not been idle. Quickly recovering from his
+amazement, he darted into the cabin, and just as Bryant dropped the
+threatening axe he appeared upon the porch with his rifle in his hand.
+Cocking it as he drew it to his face, he covered Bob's head with the
+weapon, and said, in a voice that trembled with rage and excitement,
+
+"Look a here, young fellow, that's a game two can play at. Lower your
+shootin'-iron or I'll make daylight shine through you."
+
+"Plump him over, Peasley!" cried Bryant, "plump him over! You are not
+going to stand there and let him take me back to the fort, are you? You
+promised to protect me. Plump him over! put the dogs on him! Do
+something, and be quick about it."
+
+Bob bore himself with surprising courage during this trying ordeal. He
+did not know at what instant the squatter might comply with Bryant's
+frantic order to "plump him over" or to "put the dogs on him," but he
+never flinched. He did not even change color; and there is every reason
+to believe that his bold front saved his life.
+
+"Bryant," said he in a calm voice, "don't you know that the colonel will
+be sure to hear of this, and that you are only making a bad matter worse
+by holding out against the inevitable?--As for you, Peasley, you've got
+the drop on me, and you can shoot if you feel like it; but if you do you
+are a gone squatter. Look there," he added, jerking his thumb over his
+shoulder.
+
+Peasley looked, and saw George Ackerman coming down the ridge at a
+furious gallop.
+
+"That is one of my backers, and there are six more who will be along in
+a minute. What did I tell you?" exclaimed Bob as the troopers and their
+prisoners came into view over the top of the ridge. "Now, Peasley, if
+you don't behave yourself I'll take you to the fort under arrest. I am
+in the discharge of my duty, and I am not going to put up with any more
+nonsense."
+
+The squatter lowered his rifle, looked first at Bryant and then at the
+troopers, and seemed undecided how to act. While he hesitated George
+Ackerman dashed up to the porch, jumping out of his saddle before his
+horse had fairly stopped, and, knocking the dogs right and left with the
+heavy cavalry sabre which he had found fastened to Bob's saddle, he
+mounted the steps and laid hold of the squatter's rifle.
+
+"Peasley, what are you about?" he exclaimed as he twisted the weapon out
+of the man's unresisting grasp. "Are you a born idiot? If you are not,
+don't you know that if you raise a fuss here you won't have any roof
+left over your head in less than five minutes?"
+
+The squatter, muttering something under his breath, went back to his
+seat and picked up his pipe, and in a few minutes more the troopers and
+their prisoners arrived. At a sign from his officer, Loring dismounted
+and stood guard over Bryant, while Bob walked up to the porch.
+
+"What do you think of the situation now, friend Peasley?" said he
+cheerfully. "I can't take that man to the fort in those clothes, and so
+I would thank you to trot out his uniform."
+
+"Don't know nothing 'bout no uniform," growled the squatter; "ain't none
+here."
+
+"I know better," answered Bob. "There is one here, and I must have it.
+You can either bring it out yourself or I shall search for it; and I
+give you fair warning that if I turn my boys loose in your shanty
+they'll handle things rough.--Now, what shall I do if that threat
+doesn't start him?" said Bob to himself. "I'll search the cabin and take
+the consequences; that's what I'll do."
+
+"Come, Peasley, save yourself trouble by bringing out the uniform," said
+George. "There's no use in being a fool."
+
+The squatter evidently began to think so too, for he sullenly rose from
+his seat and went into the cabin, coming out again in a few minutes with
+a bundle of clothing, which he threw spitefully down upon the porch. Bob
+quietly picked it up, and, carrying it down to Bryant, commanded him to
+pull off the squatter's clothes and put on his own; and Bryant at once
+complied, for he knew that if he did not Bob would detail two or three
+men to make the exchange for him. The new prisoner was then ordered to
+fall in with the rest, and the cavalcade once more took up its line of
+march for the fort; but a short stop was made as soon as they were out
+of sight of the squatter's cabin, during which Bob pulled off his
+disguise and put on his own garments.
+
+"If I am ever obliged to wear this suit, I hope it will serve me as well
+as it has served you to-day," said George as he stowed the Mexican
+costume away in his pack and placed the silver-mounted saddle and bridle
+on top of it. "I didn't think it would so soon be brought into use."
+
+"If it hadn't been for that same suit I might have got myself into
+trouble," said Bob. "Knowing where Bryant was, I never should have gone
+back to the fort without him, and if he had taken refuge in the house I
+might have gone in after him. What the colonel would have said to me if
+I had done that, I don't know."
+
+During the ride to the fort Bob Owens, to quote from the troopers,
+"laughed all over." It was plain to everybody that he was highly elated
+over the results of the expedition, as he had an undoubted right to be.
+The pursuit and capture of the deserters had been conducted with
+considerable skill, and with as much determination as any veteran
+officer could have exhibited. Now that the danger was over, and his
+efforts to carry out the orders of his superior had been crowned with
+complete success, Bob was rather proud of that bullet-hole in his coat.
+
+The next time the order was given for the troopers to take the prisoners
+on their horses, George beckoned to Gus Robbins, who quickly mounted
+behind him. After conversing a while upon the various exciting incidents
+that had transpired while Gus was Ned Ackerman's guest at George's
+ranche, the latter said,
+
+"I never expected to meet you again, and I would rather not have met you
+at all than see you in this scrape."
+
+"Well, it can't be helped now," answered Gus, with a weak unsuccessful
+attempt to appear defiant. "The colonel told me just what I might expect
+if I were ever again court-marshaled for desertion, and I went at it
+with my eyes open. I am not sorry I tried it, but I am sorry I didn't
+get away. If they don't watch me pretty closely, they will never have a
+chance to take me to Leavenworth."
+
+"What do you suppose your father will say when he finds it out?" asked
+George.
+
+"He will never find it out if I can help it."
+
+"Don't you correspond with him?"
+
+"Not by a great sight. He doesn't know whether I am dead or alive. I
+wish I had changed my name when I enlisted."
+
+"He lives in Foxboro', Ohio, I believe?" said George.
+
+Gus replied that he did.
+
+"Is his name Gus too?"
+
+"No; his name is Thomas, and he is--I say," exclaimed Gus suddenly,
+"what are you asking so many questions for? Do you intend to write to
+him about me?"
+
+"Why, what object could I possibly have in doing that?" asked George,
+turning a very innocent-looking face toward the deserter. "I am sure it
+is none of my business what you do. Let's talk about something else. We
+are getting over the ground pretty rapidly now, and if Bob would let me
+I could land you in the fort in four hours. I don't suppose that you are
+in any hurry to get there, but what I meant was, that your additional
+weight would not prevent this horse of mine from travelling from here to
+the fort at his very best licks."
+
+"No, I don't weigh much now," said Gus with a sigh. "Hard work, hard
+fare, hard treatment and constant worry have brought me down to a
+hundred and ten pounds."
+
+"That's not very heavy for a seventeen-year-old boy."
+
+"Oh, I am nineteen," said Gus, "but just now I feel as though I were
+forty."
+
+"And you look so, too," said George to himself.--"That was the reason I
+wanted to know your exact age."
+
+George had now learned all he cared to know about Gus Robbins. He was a
+minor, his father's name was Thomas and he lived in Foxboro', Ohio. He
+had gone to work in a roundabout way to gain this information, because
+he was afraid that if he asked Gus leading questions and told him what
+use he intended to make of his answers, the deserter would refuse to
+open his head. He had gained his point by strategy, and he did not
+intend that Gus should go to Leavenworth if he could help it.
+
+Bob's supply of rations being nearly exhausted, his men and the
+deserters had a very scant dinner, and they did not get anything more to
+eat until they reached the fort. About ten o'clock that night they were
+challenged by one of the sentries, and, not knowing the countersign,
+were obliged to wait until the corporal of the guard was called. Having
+at last been admitted inside of the stockade, Bob marched up in front of
+head-quarters, where he ordered a halt, and he and George dismounted and
+went in to report to the colonel. Bob was very much astonished at the
+manner in which the officer greeted the new scout, and so was the
+orderly. They had never before seen him unbend to anybody as he did to
+George. Having never been admitted into head-quarters except when they
+had business there--some report to make, some orders to receive or some
+sharp reprimand to listen to--they knew the commandant only as a stern,
+exacting officer who seemed to care for nothing but the "regulations,"
+and they had never imagined that he could be cordial or friendly with
+any one. But now they saw their mistake. The colonel got up from his
+seat, shook the boy warmly by the hand, told him he was glad to see
+him, called him by his Christian name and pointed him to an easy-chair,
+while Bob was left to stand at attention until the colonel got ready to
+attend to him.
+
+"You are all ready for business I see, George," said the colonel as he
+resumed his seat at the table. "Well, I'll give you a taste of army-life
+by sending you out on a scout to-morrow. I will tell you about it pretty
+soon. There's your room," he added, pointing to an apartment adjoining
+his own, "and when you get ready you can bring in your luggage. The
+officer of the day will show you where to put your horse. You will have
+to be your own servant, unless you are willing to hire a civilian and
+pay him out of your own pocket. I saw that you came in with Corporal
+Owens: did he arrest you?"
+
+"He was going to, sir," replied George, "but let me off when I showed
+him my furlough."
+
+"Corporal," continued the colonel, turning to Bob, who stood lost in
+wonder, "what report have you to make?"
+
+"I have the honor, sir, to report my entire success," was Bob's reply;
+"I've got them all."
+
+"Where are they now?"
+
+"On the parade, under guard, sir."
+
+"Very good. Keep them there until further orders. Tell the officer of
+the day I want to see him."
+
+George thought this was rather hard. Bob had risked his life and
+displayed most commendable zeal and ability in carrying out the
+colonel's orders, and now the latter dismissed him without one single
+word to indicate that he appreciated his services. Why did he not
+question the corporal in regard to the manner in which the capture of
+the deserters had been effected, and reward him for his gallantry by
+making him a sergeant on the spot? That was what George thought _he_
+would have done if he had been commandant of the post, and he then and
+there resolved that a full history of Bob's exploit should be laid
+before the colonel before he went to sleep that night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+GEORGE AT THE FORT.
+
+
+"Colonel, that young fellow has had a very hard time of it," said George
+when Bob had closed the door behind him.
+
+"I expected it," replied the officer carelessly. "It is a wonder to me
+that the deserters didn't kill him, for there were some hard characters
+among them and they were well armed."
+
+This remark would seem to indicate that the colonel was a most unfeeling
+man, and that he did not set much if any value upon the life of a
+non-commissioned officer; but such was not really the case. When he was
+a subaltern his superiors had often assigned to him some very hazardous
+undertakings, and when he attained to a rank that entitled him to a
+command he sent others into danger and thought nothing of it. A
+soldier's first and last duty was to obey any orders he might receive,
+and if he lost his life while in the act of executing those orders,
+why, it was nothing more than might be expected.
+
+"They did try to kill him," said George. "Didn't you notice that hole in
+the breast of his coat?"
+
+"I did, and I thought it looked as though it had been made by a bullet."
+
+"So it was. Bristow shot at him. He wanted to be revenged on Bob for
+telling you about those thirty men who tried to desert some time ago,
+and if he had been a little better marksman you would have been put to
+the trouble of appointing a new corporal in the place of as brave a boy
+as ever swung a sabre."
+
+"Why, George," exclaimed the colonel, becoming interested, "you are
+quite enthusiastic. Do you know Corporal Owens?"
+
+"Yes, sir. He is the one who pulled me out of the river on the night the
+old Sam Kendall was burned."
+
+"Oh yes; you told me about that the first time you were here. Where did
+the corporal find Bristow and his party?"
+
+George answered this question by giving the colonel a circumstantial
+account of the pursuit, as he had heard it from Bob's lips, and the
+manner in which he had gone to work to secure the deserters after he had
+discovered their place of refuge. His description of Bryant's arrest
+amused the officer, who declared that it was a very neat piece of
+strategy.
+
+Having placed Bob's case in the most favorable light possible, George
+then went on to tell the colonel about Springer's unexpected visit to
+his ranche, and described in detail the intended movements of Fletcher
+and his band. The officer said he had done right in sending the
+cattle-thief to warn the commandant at Eagle Pass, and had no doubt that
+that officer would take measures to assist the civil authorities at Rio
+Grande City in protecting the jail and giving Fletcher and his men a
+warm reception when they came across the river; but, in order to explain
+what happened afterward, we must here say that he did nothing of the
+kind. Unfortunately for Springer, he was recognized by some ranchemen
+who happened to be hanging about the post, and in spite of his
+protestations he was arrested and turned over to the marshal, who locked
+him up. No attention whatever was paid to his warning, and so positive
+was the marshal that there was "something back of it" that he would not
+even permit the prisoner to tell his story.
+
+The cattle-thief remained in jail until the next full moon, and then
+Fletcher and his men suddenly made their appearance, just as Springer
+said they would. As no precautions had been taken to guard the prison,
+the raiders had an easy victory, and before assistance could arrive from
+the Pass, Springer and the murderers of the cowboy had been released and
+Fletcher was safe across the river. Springer, of course, was much too
+sharp to tell how he came to be an inmate of the jail, and the boss
+cattle-thief, believing that he had been arrested while trying to carry
+out his instructions, treated him with the greatest consideration.
+
+"What did you mean by saying that you would give me a taste of army-life
+by sending me out on a scout to-morrow?" asked George after he had
+finished his story. "Any raiding going on about here?"
+
+"Well, yes. I am going to send Clinton out to punish a war-party of
+Kiowas if he can catch them. I am aware you are used to roughing it, but
+you know nothing about campaigning with troops, and I thought I would
+give you a chance to get your hand in before I call upon you to lead us
+across the river. Some young bucks belonging to Satanta's band, the most
+of them mere boys, have broken away from their agency and come down here
+in pursuit of scalps and fame. Among other outrages which they have
+committed, they jumped down on a poor fellow the other day, killed or
+scattered his herdsmen, drove off his stock and carried his two children
+into captivity. I should like to be the means of ridding the frontier of
+that villain, for he is dangerous. During a peace-council that was held
+at Fort Dodge some time ago, Satanta talked so glibly about his desire
+to cultivate friendly relations with us, and his unalterable
+determination to 'follow the white man's road' in future, that he really
+succeeded in making the commissioners believe that he was sincere in
+what he said. To encourage him in his good resolutions, the department
+commander and staff presented him with a uniform coat and sash and a
+brigadier-general's hat. How the wily old scoundrel must have laughed in
+his sleeve when he saw how completely he had bamboozled some of our best
+soldiers!"
+
+"How long did he keep his promise?" asked George.
+
+"About three weeks, and then he led an attack, dressed in his new
+uniform, against the fort in which the council was held. Oh, he's a good
+one! I know you didn't come here to fight Indians, but you'll have to
+hold yourself in readiness for anything that turns up."
+
+"You will always find me around when you want me," replied George. "May
+I write a letter here?" he continued, seeing that the colonel picked up
+his pen and turned to his table to resume some writing in which he had
+been interrupted when Bob and the new scout came in to report.
+
+"Certainly. There are pens, ink and paper; help yourself. There's the
+letter-box over there. The mail-carrier goes out to-morrow."
+
+Before George could begin work on his letter the officer of the day came
+in. He shook hands with the new-comer, to whom he had been introduced on
+the occasion of the boy's first visit to the fort, and was told by the
+colonel to put the deserters into the guard-house, to show George where
+to stake out his horse and mule, and to see that he had somebody to help
+him bring in his pack-saddle.
+
+The work of bringing in his luggage and taking care of his animals was
+soon performed, and then George came back and began his letter. It took
+him a long time to write it, for he wanted to make it one that would
+produce an impression upon the person to whom it was addressed. It was
+to Gus Robbins's father. It conveyed to that gentleman the information
+that although his son was alive and in fair bodily health, he had
+brought himself into serious trouble, having been detected in two
+attempts at desertion, and unless his friends at home interested
+themselves in his behalf he had a fair prospect of going to prison. If
+Mr. Robbins would move in the matter he could easily procure the
+culprit's discharge from the service, for he was a minor and had
+enlisted without his father's consent; but if there was anything done it
+must be done quickly, for it was probable that a court-martial would be
+convened in a very few days. Having sealed and addressed the letter, he
+bade the colonel good-night and went to bed, feeling satisfied that he
+had done all he could for the unfortunate Gus.
+
+George slept soundly, as he always did, but the morning gun and the
+first notes of reveille awoke him. While he was making his toilet with
+his usual care and deliberation--as we have said, his long intercourse
+with river-dandies had made him very particular on this point--his
+friend, Bob Owens, and the men who occupied the quarters with him, were
+hurrying on their clothes in order to get into line in time to answer to
+their names at roll-call. While they were dressing they talked, and this
+was a portion of the conversation that took place between the corporal
+and one of the colonel's orderlies--the same one who had been on duty
+when Bob went in to report his arrival with the deserters.
+
+"I say, Owens," exclaimed the orderly, "who was that nobby young officer
+who came in with you last night? What is his name, and what rank does he
+hold? I know he is green, for he didn't know enough to put on a
+dress-coat before he went into the colonel's presence."
+
+"His name is George Ackerman," answered Bob, "but he is not an officer;
+he's a scout."
+
+"'A scout'!" repeated the orderly in a tone of contempt. "He is a
+pretty-looking scout, I must say. What does he know about life on the
+Plains?"
+
+"He knows a good deal more about it than anybody in this room, for he
+was born right here in Texas," was the reply.
+
+"Has he ever seen service?"
+
+"No, but he knows what danger is, and he has been in some situations
+that you wouldn't care to be placed in. During long months of his life
+he lived in constant fear of a violent death."
+
+"I don't doubt that he told you so, but I don't believe it, all the
+same," observed the orderly.
+
+"I can't help that. I am personally acquainted with him, and you are
+not. I was with him when the steamer to which he belonged was burned on
+the Mississippi River, and came to Texas with him. He owns a big
+cattle-ranche a few miles from here, and has an income of about forty
+thousand dollars a year."
+
+"Aha! that accounts for the milk in the cocoa-nut," exclaimed the
+orderly. "I know now why it was that the colonel met him in so friendly
+a manner. Even those stern old regulars soften in the presence of one
+who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, don't they?"
+
+"But George Ackerman's money didn't get him the position he holds," said
+Bob quickly. "He has been a prisoner among the cattle-thieves on the
+other side of the river, and knows where they hang out. He is here to
+act as our guide when we pursue the raiders across the river."
+
+"What did the cattle-thieves take him prisoner for?"
+
+"Because they were promised twenty thousand dollars for it by George's
+guardian, who wanted to get him out of the way, so that his son could
+inherit George's property. But he managed to escape from them, went up
+North and became a pilot, and it was while he was serving in that
+capacity that I made his acquaintance."
+
+"That's a very pretty story," remarked the orderly, "but doesn't it
+sound almost too much like a dime novel?"
+
+"If you don't believe it ask Gus Robbins, if you get a chance to speak
+to him. He knows George, and has reason to be grateful to him too. Gus
+came down here to visit Ned Ackerman while the latter's father was
+acting as George's guardian, and got himself into trouble that would
+have ended seriously if George had not befriended him. It was through
+that same visit that Gus got into the army."
+
+"Did you hear what the colonel said to him about a servant?" asked the
+orderly. "Whoever saw a scout with a servant? I never did, and neither
+did I ever before see a man holding that position treated with so much
+consideration by a post-commander. I can't account for it."
+
+Bob could not account for it either, and so he attempted no explanation.
+We may tell the reader that there were two good reasons for it. In the
+first place, George was not a regular scout; he might, with more
+propriety, have been called a volunteer aide. It is true that he was
+sworn into the service, and that he was bound to do his duty faithfully
+"during the pleasure of the commanding officer" of Fort Lamoine, but he
+drew no pay from the government. He did not even ask that he should be
+fed while he lived at the fort, but stood ready to pay his share of the
+mess-bill. He had freely offered his services as guide to the troops
+because he, in common with every rancheman and farmer in that country,
+wanted the raiding-parties broken up, and he believed that he could do
+as much, if not more, toward accomplishing that object than any other
+single civilian. He was not obliged to wear a uniform (being sworn in,
+he had a _right_ to wear it), but he had purchased it for the same
+reason that he had purchased the Mexican costume and the other clothing
+he had brought with him--because he believed it might some day be of use
+to him. We have already seen how one of his disguises came into play. If
+he had not brought with him that Mexican suit, it is hard to tell how
+Bryant would have been captured.
+
+In the next place, the colonel was an old acquaintance and friend of
+George's father. He had often enjoyed Mr. Ackerman's hospitality, and he
+could say, with Zeke, that he had carried George in his arms when the
+latter was a "yelling baby not knee-high to a duck," and when he himself
+was nothing but a second lieutenant. Since that time a great many things
+had happened. Mr. Ackerman and his wife were dead, the second lieutenant
+had passed through a terrible war, had worn a major-general's
+shoulder-straps in the volunteer army and won a brevet colonelcy in the
+regulars, and George had grown almost to manhood. Neither of them knew
+of the presence of the other in that country until George, accompanied
+by Mr. Gilbert and a few other ranchemen, came to the fort to offer his
+services. The colonel knew the boy as soon as he heard his name, and it
+was on account of the respect and affection he cherished for the memory
+of his father that he extended so cordial a greeting to him; but, like
+all the other soldiers who had seen him, the colonel did not think that
+George was just the guide he wanted.
+
+"I need somebody with age and experience, George," said he, "and you
+have neither. I know you can handle a herd of cattle and manage your
+ranche in good style, but I am not so certain of your ability to act as
+guide to my troops. I admire your pluck, and I should be glad to have
+you come here and live until you get tired of it; and in order to make
+it lawful for you to stay here, I will give you a position as
+forage-master."
+
+"I am very much obliged to you, sir, but that is a berth I don't want,"
+answered George. "I want to help put down those raiders."
+
+"But just think of the responsibility that would rest upon you,"
+protested the colonel. "A single blunder on your part might cripple me
+fearfully."
+
+"You need have no fears on that score," said Mr. Gilbert. "George is
+good wherever you put him. He is acquainted with Fletcher, who is the
+most active of all the raiders who trouble us; he knows where he hangs
+out, and he is the only one on this side of the river who does. When it
+comes to trailing, he is at home there too. Can you look at a trail and
+tell how old it is and how many men or horses made it?"
+
+No, the colonel couldn't do that. He always looked to his scouts for
+information on those points.
+
+"George can do it," said Mr. Gilbert. "He has served his time under one
+of the best trailers in the country; and that is Zeke, his herdsman."
+
+After a little more conversation the colonel, although not without many
+misgivings, accepted the offer of George's services; and he never had
+occasion to regret it. During the very first expedition that was sent
+out of the fort after he reported there for duty he showed what he was
+made of, and gave the colonel reason for placing almost unlimited
+confidence in his judgment. Acting as Bob Owens's counsellor, he enabled
+the latter to perform an exploit that made him the lion of the post.
+
+Having dressed himself, George passed through the colonel's office and
+out through the hall to the parade. In the outer door was seated a man
+who was bent half double, with his elbows resting on his knees and his
+face buried in his hands. Hearing the sound of the boy's footsteps, he
+raised his head, revealing a countenance so haggard and sorrowful that
+George was startled at the sight of it. The man moved aside to allow him
+room to pass, and then covered his face with his hands again, and as
+George walked out he was sure he heard him utter a suppressed moan. The
+man was not a soldier, for he was dressed in citizen's clothes. He
+looked like a rancheman; and as George was a rancheman himself, he
+naturally felt some sympathy for the unknown sufferer. After hesitating
+a moment, weighing in his mind the propriety of the step he was about to
+take, he turned back and asked,
+
+"What is the matter with you, sir? Are you ill?"
+
+"'Ill'?" repeated the man, without looking up. "Worse than that--worse
+than that."
+
+"Is there anything that I can do for you?" asked George. "You seem to be
+in great trouble."
+
+As these words fell upon his ear the man straightened up, and, gazing at
+George with a pair of wild-looking eyes, said, in a voice that was
+rendered husky by some strong emotion,
+
+"I am in trouble, partner, and although I do not think you can help me
+in any way, I feel grateful to you for your sympathy. I have been
+bounced by the hostiles and cleaned out--completely cleaned out."
+
+"That _is_ bad," returned George, who told himself that the man took his
+loss very much to heart. He knew a good many stock-raisers who had been
+"bounced" and "cleaned out," but he had never before seen one who seemed
+to be so utterly broken down by his misfortunes as this one did. The
+stranger's next words, however, explained it all.
+
+"The loss of my ranche and stock I don't mind," said he; "that's
+nothing. But when one sees his two motherless boys carried off by the
+red fiends, while he is powerless to help them, it's pretty rough, it's
+pretty rough."
+
+"Why, this must be the man the colonel told me about last night," said
+George to himself.
+
+"I should not fear that the savages would raise their hands against the
+lives of the boys (they are too young to be put to torture, one being
+eight and the other ten years of age) if it were not for one thing,"
+continued the bereaved father, jumping to his feet and pacing back and
+forth like a caged tiger. "I made a hard fight of it, and dropped a
+Kiowa for every year of my oldest boy's age. Of course the death of
+those warriors will have to be avenged by their relatives. Perhaps you
+don't know it, but that is Indian law."
+
+"I do know it," interrupted George. "I couldn't have lived so close to
+these raiders, both Indians and Mexicans, nearly all my life without
+learning something about their ways, could I? I am a Texan, like
+yourself."
+
+"You are? I took you for a Yankee soldier."
+
+"There's where you made a mistake," replied George. "I was born in
+Miller county in this State, and I am here to act as guide to the troops
+when they cross the river in pursuit of the cattle-thieves."
+
+"Good! Put it there!" exclaimed the man, extending his hand, while his
+face for the moment showed the pleasure he felt at the meeting. "My name
+is Wentworth; what is yours?"
+
+George told him, and Mr. Wentworth said he had often heard the name, and
+in a roundabout way had learned something of the family history.
+
+"I have heard of you too," said George. "You have often been obliged to
+run in order to save your life and stock, have you not?"
+
+"Yes, and I have always succeeded in getting safely away; but there is a
+first time for everybody, and mine came three days ago. I was going on
+to say that I am afraid the savages will take vengeance on my helpless
+little boys for the braves I shot in the fight," continued Mr.
+Wentworth. "If they don't do that, they will probably hold them for
+ransom; but they might as well tomahawk the boys at once and put them
+out of their misery, for I haven't a horn nor a hoof nor a cent of money
+to give in exchange for them. I know I have seen them for the last time,
+but won't I make it hot for those who stole them?"
+
+George could not say anything comforting. The sight of the strong man's
+overwhelming grief struck him dumb.
+
+"I know some of the bucks who were in the fight," continued Mr.
+Wentworth, grinding his teeth and rubbing his hands nervously together.
+"They have often camped on my ranche when they came down here
+buffalo-hunting. I don't care what treaties our government may make with
+that tribe; there will be eternal war between me and them. No Kiowa
+shall ever cross my trail and live--no, not if I hang for it. I only
+wish that some of those peace commissioners--those lunatics who believe
+that an Indian is a human being and needs only kind treatment to make
+him peaceable and friendly--could stand in my boots this minute. I tell
+you, Ackerman, if one of them were here now I'd stand and see an Indian
+shoot him, and never lift a hand in his defence. I got in last night and
+told the colonel about it, and he said he would send out a couple of
+companies this morning with orders to overtake and punish them if
+possible; but he might as well save his men and horses, for it isn't
+possible. They have reached the Staked Plains by this time, and are safe
+from pursuit. This is a lovely government for a white man to live under,
+isn't it? It is too cowardly to protect us from the Mexicans, and too
+tender-hearted to hang an Indian for murder unless he happens to kill
+some one high in authority, like General Canby."
+
+Mr. Wentworth seemed almost beside himself when he thought of his boys,
+who were now so many miles away from him, for then it was that he
+realized how powerless he was to help them. He went on in this strain
+until he had talked himself out of breath, and then he went back to his
+seat on the doorstep and covered his face with his hands.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING.
+
+
+"It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward
+the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his
+children for the last time. In the first place, the chances are that the
+Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go
+out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should
+come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were
+likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they
+could not be rescued. It _is_ a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't
+see that anything can be done about it. I wish Zeke were here to give
+his opinion on the subject."
+
+The troopers, having answered to the names, were going out to bring in
+their horses preparatory to grooming them, and George went with them to
+bring in his own. Nearly an hour was devoted to this important duty,
+which was performed under the watchful eye of an officer, and although
+George often saw his friend Bob, the latter did not speak to him. There
+were a good many shoulder-straps around, and work, and not talk, was the
+order of the day. Even those of the officers who, having no servants,
+were obliged to act as their own grooms, had very little to say to one
+another; but when these same officers were gathered around the
+breakfast-table half an hour later, they were lively and talkative
+enough. There they met on a footing of perfect equality, like the
+members of a private family, although the juniors did not forget to say
+"sir" when addressing their superiors. There were no orders issued
+during the progress of the meal, and in fact very little was said about
+military matters; but still, George heard enough to satisfy him that
+active operations against the thieving Kiowas were to be commenced
+immediately, and that he was to make one of an expedition upon whose
+success a good deal depended.
+
+The appearance of the officers as they passed into the hall after rising
+from the breakfast-table must have been a signal to the bugler who
+stood in front of the door of head-quarters, for as soon as he saw them
+he raised his instrument to his lips and blew a shrill call. The clear,
+ringing notes had scarcely ceased when there was a commotion in the
+barracks, and a crowd of men came pouring out and hurried toward the
+stables. There were a hundred and twenty of them, and they belonged to
+the troops A, E and L--the latter commonly called the "Brindles"--of
+which Captain Clinton's scouting-party was to be composed.
+
+"That's 'Boots and saddles,' George," said the colonel, who stood in the
+doorway appearing to notice nothing, but in reality keeping a close
+watch over the movements of the men to see that everything was done in
+accordance with the "regulations." "You are to go with Clinton, you
+know. Are you ready?"
+
+"I will be in half a minute," replied the boy.
+
+The stirring notes of the bugle, or the prospect of soon meeting face to
+face some of the bloodthirsty savages who had devastated Mr. Wentworth's
+home, must have excited George, so that he did not readily lay his hand
+upon the articles he wanted, for considerably more than half a minute
+elapsed before he again appeared with his Winchester on his back, a bag
+of cartridges slung over his shoulder and a revolver buckled about his
+waist. He ran to the stable, and had just put the saddle and bridle on
+his horse when another call of the bugle was heard. This was "To horse,"
+and in obedience the troopers left the stable and fell into line on the
+parade, each man standing at the head of his nag. George did not belong
+in line--in fact, he did not know where he _did_ belong--so he kept his
+eye on Captain Clinton, and when he saw that officer mount the horse
+which an orderly brought up to him, George at once placed himself in his
+own saddle, and, riding up to the steps where the colonel was standing,
+awaited further developments.
+
+"Prepare to mount!" commanded Captain Clinton as he rode up in front of
+his own troop, and the words were immediately repeated by the other two
+company commanders.
+
+In obedience to this order each trooper placed his left foot in the
+stirrup, and at the command "Mount!" which was given soon after, they
+all rose from the ground as if moved by the same set of springs, and
+seated themselves in the saddles at the same instant. No man was a half
+a second ahead or behind his companions. The three company officers then
+rode back to the colonel to report that their respective companies were
+ready to march, and after they had listened to some verbal instructions
+from him, they bade him and the rest of the officers good-bye, the bugle
+sounded the "Advance," and the troopers, moving four abreast--or, as a
+soldier would have expressed it, in column of fours--rode out of the
+gate. There they found Wentworth seated on a wiry little mustang, which
+looked altogether too small to carry so heavy a rider. Recognizing
+George, who rode by Captain Clinton's side, he gave him a friendly nod,
+and without saying a word turned his horse and rode away, the troopers
+following a short distance in his rear.
+
+When soldiers are on the march and in no danger of immediate contact
+with the enemy, they are allowed numerous privileges, of which the
+troopers composing this particular scouting-party were not slow to avail
+themselves. Some of them drew their pipes from their pockets and filled
+up for a smoke, others threw one leg over the horns of their saddles and
+rode sideways, "woman-fashion," and conversation became general all
+along the line. But this talking and smoking did not interfere with
+their marching, for they rode rapidly, and made such good progress that
+by three o'clock in the afternoon they were within sight of the ruins of
+Mr. Wentworth's ranche. And a sorry sight it was, too. Nothing but a
+pile of blackened sun-dried bricks remained to mark the spot on which a
+few days ago had stood a happy home. Household furniture of every
+description was scattered around, but every article had been smashed
+beyond all hope of repair. What the savages had not been able to carry
+away with them they had ruthlessly destroyed. George did not wonder that
+Mr. Wentworth felt vindictive. The man did not have a word to say, but
+the expression that came to his face as he sat in his saddle gazing
+sorrowfully at the ruins of his home spoke volumes.
+
+When the troopers came within sight of the ranche, George discovered
+that there was a horse staked out near the ruins, and that he had an
+owner in the person of a tall, gaunt man, who rose from the ground and
+rubbed his eyes as if he had just awakened from a sound sleep. His dress
+was an odd mixture of the civilized and savage. He wore a pair of
+infantryman's trousers, a rancheman's red shirt, and an Indian blanket
+of the same color was thrown over his shoulders. His head was covered by
+a Mexican sombrero, and his feet were protected by a pair of
+gaudily-ornamented moccasins. While waiting for the troopers to come up
+he filled a short black pipe and lighted it at the smoldering fire
+beside which he had been sleeping.
+
+"That's Mountain Mose," said Captain Clinton in reply to George's
+inquiring look. "He no doubt gave himself the name because he has lived
+on the Plains all his life. He is a lazy, worthless vagabond, but what
+he doesn't know about Indians isn't worth knowing. If he would only wake
+up and display a little energy, he would be invaluable as a scout."
+
+"What is he doing here?" asked George. "He seems to be waiting for us."
+
+"Yes, I expected to find him at this place. He has been out to take a
+look at the trail of that war-party who did all this damage.--Well,
+Mose, any news?"
+
+"Not much, cap," drawled the scout. "You put straight for the Staked
+Plains, an' if you are lively enough to ketch 'em anywhar, you'll ketch
+'em thar."
+
+"Then we shall never get the cattle," said the captain. "If the Indians
+are going in there, they intend that the stock shall die of thirst
+rather than fall into our hands."
+
+"That's jest their little game, cap," said the scout, puffing at his
+pipe. "You see, they'll keep along on the edge of the desert, so't they
+can have grass an' water in plenty, an' if you don't pester 'em none
+they won't go into the Staked Plains at all; but if you push 'em hard
+they'll run the critters in thar an' leave 'em, hopin' that you will run
+your hosses an' men to death while you are huntin' 'em up. You won't
+never see the young ones, nuther; an' I don't see why the colonel sent
+out sich a party as this so late in the day, anyhow. We'd oughter been a
+hundred miles along that thar trail by sun-up this mornin'."
+
+George felt the deepest sympathy for Mr. Wentworth, who listened
+attentively to what the scout had to say, although he said nothing in
+return. His almost overwhelming sorrow showed itself in his face, but
+did not take the form of words.
+
+As Captain Clinton had made no halt for dinner, the colonel having
+instructed him to find and receive the report of the scout as soon as
+possible, he decided to stop here and allow his men an hour or two for
+rest and refreshment. Giving their horses into the charge of some of the
+troopers, he and his two company commanders walked away with the scout,
+while George rode off to hunt up Bob Owens. He staked his own horse out
+beside Bob's, and then walked back with him to take a nearer view of the
+ruins.
+
+"How do you suppose that that man in the sombrero and moccasins knows
+that the Indians who did this have fled toward the Staked Plains?" asked
+Bob after he and his friend had spent some moments in silent
+contemplation of the savages' handiwork. "He certainly hasn't had time
+enough to follow the trail clear to those plains."
+
+"Of course not," answered George. "But he probably followed it far
+enough to see that it leads in that direction."
+
+"Well, explain another thing while you are about it," continued Bob. "I
+have been out on a scout before now after the hostiles, following a
+trail that was as plain as the nose on one's face, when all at once the
+scout would leave that trail and strike off over the prairie where
+there wasn't a sign of a pony-track."
+
+"He was taking a short cut on the Indians," observed George.
+
+"I know that, and sooner or later he would bring us back to that trail
+again; and sometimes we would have gained so much on the hostiles--who
+had perhaps been twenty-four hours' journey ahead of us when we left the
+trail--that we would find their camp-fires still smoking. Now, what I
+want to know is this: How did that scout know that those Indians were
+going to that particular spring or creek or ravine near which we found
+the trail?"
+
+"Have you ever hunted foxes?" asked George.
+
+"I should say I had. When I left home I owned a hound that couldn't be
+beaten in running them, for he was posted in all their tricks. But what
+have foxes to do with hostile Indians?"
+
+"I am simply going to use the tricks of the one, which you understand,
+to explain the tricks of the other, which you do not understand,"
+replied George. "They are a good deal alike in some respects. A fox,
+when he finds himself hard pressed, will resort to all sorts of
+manoeuvres to throw the hounds off the trail. One of his tricks is to
+run over a newly-ploughed field, if he can find one, where the scent
+will not lie. What would that brag hound of yours do in such a case?
+Would he waste valuable time in running about over that field trying to
+pick up a scent that wasn't there?"
+
+"No, he wouldn't. He would run around the outside of the field until he
+found the place where the fox left it."
+
+"Exactly. Now, an Indian is just as full of tricks as a fox is. When he
+is afraid of pursuit he will break his party up into small bands, and,
+although the trails made by these bands will lead in different
+directions at the start, you will find, if you break up your own party
+and follow them for a while, that they all tend toward the same points,
+where these little bands will all be reunited. Of course each of the
+trails will be obliterated as much as possible. Some of them will lead
+over rocky ground, where the hoof of a pony will leave no imprint;
+others will come to an abrupt termination on the bank of some stream;
+and others still will end at a place where the prairie has been burned
+over. When these war-parties break up in the way I have described, a
+place of meeting is always agreed on beforehand; and if a scout
+understands his business he can tell pretty nearly where that place is,
+for it is sure to be on the straightest and most direct route to the
+agency if the raiders belong to a 'friendly' tribe, or to their
+principal village if they belong to a tribe that is openly hostile. If
+these Kiowas take to the Staked Plains, they will probably enter it
+directly north of here, at its widest part. Then this Mountain Mose, if
+he is the scout he pretends to be, will leave their trail to take care
+of itself and draw a bee-line for the nearest water; and it will take
+thirty hours' rapid marching to reach it, too."
+
+"How do you know? Have you ever been there?"
+
+"No, but my herdsman Zeke has; and he has described the course to be
+followed so minutely that I can go there any day the sun shines or any
+night when the stars shine."
+
+Bob did not say anything, but his friend noticed that he looked a little
+incredulous.
+
+"It is not so difficult as it appears to be at first glance," George
+hastened to say. "Why, when a party of young Indians want to go into a
+strange country for plunder and scalps, they gather around some old
+warrior, who traces on the ground the direction in which they must
+travel in order to reach that country, describes all the water-courses
+and locates the principal landmarks to be found along the route; and
+with nothing but these verbal instructions to guide them, these little
+rascals, some of them not more than thirteen or fourteen years of age,
+will make a journey of hundreds of miles through a region that none of
+them have ever visited before. My bump of locality is not so large as an
+Indian's, but still I have a pretty good memory, and I have travelled
+many a mile through a strange country without going a step out of my
+way."
+
+"What sort of a looking place is Staked Plains, anyhow?" asked Bob. "I
+have heard so many terrible stories told about it that I am almost
+afraid of it. What gave it that name? Are there any _stakes_ there?"
+
+Bob was inclined to be facetious when he said this, and consequently he
+was not a little astonished to hear George say in reply,
+
+"There may not be any stakes there now, but there used to be. It _is_ a
+terrible place, and many a wagon-train has left its bones there. It is
+big enough to get lost in, for it lacks only about six thousand
+square-miles of being as large as the State of New York; and although it
+is not exactly a desert, as we understand the word, it is a barren
+waste, where nothing living permanently resides on account of the great
+scarcity of water. A long time ago the Mexican traders marked out a
+route with stakes across the plain where they found a few small
+fountains, and that was what gave it the name it bears. Zeke says it is
+a perfect bake-oven. There are no trees to shelter you, no grass for
+your horses, no fuel to build a fire with, and an almost unearthly
+silence broods over it. I am not superstitious, but Zeke always speaks
+of it with a shudder, and I tell you I don't want to see any place that
+he is afraid of."
+
+The two friends continued to talk in this way until Captain Clinton's
+cook came up and told George that dinner was ready. They rested half an
+hour after the meal was over, and then set out again, Mountain Mose
+leading the way and Mr. Wentworth, as before, riding by himself. As
+George was a sort of supernumerary, he was under little restraint, and
+consequently he rode where he pleased--sometimes in company with the
+scout, sometimes beside Captain Clinton, and then fell back to exchange
+a few ideas with Bob. He did not, however, waste much time with the
+scout. The latter was talkative enough until he learned that George held
+the same position that he did, and then he froze up at once.
+
+"You're a pretty-looking scout, _you_ be!" he exclaimed, moving his eye
+over the boy's trim figure. "Do you reckon you could tell the trail of a
+Kiowa from the track of a coyote?"
+
+"Yes, I reckon I could," answered George with a smile. "But you need not
+be jealous of me, for I shall not interfere with you in any way. I came
+to the post to hunt Greasers, and not to trail Indians."
+
+"Oh, you did, eh? So you're the chap that's goin' to show the boys the
+way acrost the Rio, be you?"
+
+"I am," replied George.
+
+"Well, all I've got to say is, that them that follers you is fools. I
+thought mebbe you was agoin' to poke your nose into my business; and
+that is something I won't put up with from nobody. If thar's anything I
+_do_ understand, it's Indians."
+
+This was true, but it sometimes happens that luck is not on the side of
+those who know the most. The scout would have given anything he
+possessed if he had been fortunate enough to perform the exploit that
+George assisted in performing before two days more had passed over his
+head.
+
+Bob Owens did not fail to notice that there was not the least semblance
+of a trail to be seen anywhere. They had left it at the ruins of Mr.
+Wentworth's rancho, and he waited with no little impatience to see where
+they would pick it up again. He found out about sunset, for at that time
+the column reached the banks of a small water-course, and there they
+struck the trail, which was so broad and plain that it could be followed
+at a gallop. George, in company with some of the officers and the scout,
+spent a few minutes in looking it over, and then rode back to report the
+result of his observations to Bob Owens.
+
+"There are not many warriors in the party," said he, "but they are so
+well supplied with horses that they can have a fresh mount every day if
+they want it."
+
+"How do you know that?" asked Bob.
+
+"Because I saw their tracks," replied George.
+
+"That's not explicit enough. I suppose you did see the tracks of the
+horses, and so did I; but how in the world is a fellow going to tell
+whether or not those horses had riders on their backs? _That's_
+something that can't be done."
+
+"Don't be too sure of that. Look here! Would you believe it if I should
+tell you that those Indians passed along here after daylight on Thursday
+morning?"
+
+"No, I wouldn't," replied Bob bluntly. He could not, for the life of
+him, understand how anybody could draw such conclusions as these by
+simply looking at the print of a pony's hoofs in the grass; and if he
+had not been so well acquainted with George he would have inclined to
+the belief that his friend was "spreading it on" in order to make
+himself out a wonderful trailer. "I can't make head or tail of this
+business, and I don't believe you can, either; that is, I mean I don't
+see how you can."
+
+"Well, listen while I explain," said George good-naturedly. "In the
+first place, I noticed, while we were passing through that belt of
+post-oaks back there, that some of the horses left a very devious
+trail, passing through thick bushes and under trees whose branches were
+so low that they would have swept a rider out of his saddle if he had
+not been on the alert to avoid them. Those horses were all loose."
+
+"Perhaps not," exclaimed Bob. "The Indians might have passed through
+there when it was too dark to see where they were going."
+
+"I know they might, but they didn't, as I shall presently show you. The
+horses which made those crooked trails were not mustangs. They were
+American horses, and their presence proves another thing that I didn't
+think to speak of before; and that is, that the Indians raided other
+ranches besides Mr. Wentworth's. How do I know that they were American
+horses? Because their tracks were larger than a pony's, and some of them
+were shod. The tracks made by the mustangs led through the open part of
+the timber, where there were no bushes and low branches; and this is one
+proof that the Indians did not pass through there in the night-time. If
+they had, they could not have kept in such open ground. I found further
+proof that these mustangs were all mounted by noticing that they did not
+stop to graze, as the loose horses did, being kept in constant motion
+by their riders. What do you think now?" asked George, seeing that Bob
+began to open his eyes.
+
+"It reads like a book, don't it?" was Bob's reply. "But you have
+forgotten one very important thing. You said that the Indians passed
+through those post-oaks early on Thursday morning. How do you know that
+they didn't pass late on Thursday afternoon or early on Friday morning?"
+
+"You think you have got me there, don't you? Well, you haven't. If there
+are 'sermons in stones and books in running brooks,' as the poet tells
+us there are, what is the reason that the print of an Indian pony's hoof
+may not contain a page of information that will prove to be useful to
+him who has the skill to read it? On Wednesday night there was a very
+heavy dew, if you remember."
+
+"I don't remember," replied Bob; "I never pay any attention to such
+things."
+
+"But you must pay attention to such things, and a good deal of it too,
+if you are going to be a Plainsman. During the last two nights there has
+been no dew at all. I noticed that some blades of grass, which had been
+pressed down by the hoofs of the horses and cattle, were covered with
+sand which stuck fast to them, having been dried on. This told me that
+the tracks were made while the grass was wet, and that the Indians had
+passed that way early on Thursday morning, or before the sun had risen
+high enough to dry off the dew. There were not more than fifteen or
+twenty of them. I didn't have time to see just how many, but they have
+stolen over a thousand head of steers and horses. Now, remember all I
+have told you, and see if I haven't made a pretty good guess."
+
+"Do you think we shall catch them?" asked Bob.
+
+"Well," answered George slowly, "raiding Indians _have_ been overtaken
+and neatly whipped before now, but I have always believed that it was
+more by good luck than good management. These fellows will begin to show
+their tactics as soon as they find out that they are pursued. Then they
+will probably leave behind a few of the best mounted of the band to
+attract our attention and lead us away from the others, who will make
+all haste to take the prisoners and the stolon stock to a place of
+safety. If we bite at that bait, we shall lose everything, for as soon
+as the decoys have led us as far out of our way as they care to have us
+go, they will disappear all of a sudden, and we shall never see them
+again. If we keep on after the main body, and travel fast enough to gain
+on them, they will drop the stock in the desert, break up into squads of
+twos and threes, and we shall have nothing to do but to turn about and
+go home again."
+
+The Indians did manoeuvre pretty nearly as George said they would, but
+Captain Clinton and his scouting-party did not go back to the fort until
+they had accomplished something.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+HOW GEORGE SAVED THE CAMP.
+
+
+The troopers went into camp about midnight, having been nineteen hours
+in the saddle, during which time they had marched more than seventy
+miles. They halted on the bank of a small stream near a ford over which
+the Indians had passed during their retreat. The trail was plain, and
+some of the troopers, who did not know quite as much about trailing as
+they thought they did, declared that they were close upon the heels of
+the raiders.
+
+"How is that, George?" asked Bob Owens, who had been detailed as one of
+the corporals of the guard. "Some of the boys say that if we should
+follow the Indians for an hour or two longer we would be within sight of
+their camp-fires."
+
+"What makes them think so?" asked George.
+
+"Because they have found tracks with the sand still running into them.
+Is that one of the signs by which to tell the age of a trail?"
+
+"Under some circumstances, yes; in the present case, no. You could tell
+the age of a trail in that way if the ground around it had not been
+disturbed. This country about here is all quicksand, and you can take
+your stand almost anywhere along the banks of this stream, and by
+jumping up and down shake the ground for ten feet on all sides of you.
+When our heavy column crossed the ford and climbed this bank, it shook
+the earth, and that was what set the sand to running down into the
+tracks."
+
+"I declare!" exclaimed Bob, gazing admiringly at his friend; "is there
+anything a trailer isn't obliged to know?"
+
+"If he wants to be an expert he must keep his eyes and ears wide open,
+and pay strict attention to little things which almost anybody else
+would consider to be beneath his notice. It is wonderful what
+proficiency a person who has a talent for such things can acquire by
+practice. For example, this scout of ours could learn more about a trail
+in two minutes than I could in an hour. But he is fearfully jealous,"
+added George with a laugh, "and you ought to have seen how mad I made
+him while we were passing through that belt of post-oaks this afternoon.
+Seeing that Captain Clinton was waiting very impatiently for
+information, I volunteered the statement that the hostiles had passed
+that way early on Thursday morning, and that Mr. Wentworth was not the
+only one who had suffered at their hands. The captain asked Mose what he
+thought of that, and Mose replied, 'I think jest this here, cap: if that
+kid is agoin' to lead this yere party he had better say so, an' I will
+go back to the post. He's a'most too fresh, an' he'd better go back in
+the woods an' practise at holdin' his chin.' But he did not contradict
+my statement, and that was all the evidence I needed to prove that I was
+right in what I said. The tracks here on the bank are not as fresh as
+you suppose. If they were wet, it would be a sign that the Indians
+crossed the ford since three o'clock this afternoon."
+
+"Why since three o'clock?" asked Bob.
+
+"Because the sun went under a cloud at that hour, and hasn't showed
+himself since to dry off the water that the horses and cattle brought
+out of the stream on their feet and legs."
+
+While the two boys were talking in this way George was getting ready to
+go to bed. The camp was located at the foot of a perpendicular bluff
+which was perhaps twenty feet in height. On the top of this bluff the
+horses were picketed, and beyond them were the sentinels who were to
+look out for the safety of the animals and keep guard over their
+slumbering companions. Everything outside of the circle of light made by
+the camp-fires was concealed by the most intense darkness. Not even a
+star twinkled in the sky. George spread his blankets in a sheltered nook
+at the foot of the bluff and courted the "drowsy god" in vain. He was
+tired and his eyes were heavy, but he could not go to sleep. After
+rolling and tossing about for nearly two hours, he became too nervous to
+remain inactive any longer, so he slung his rifle on his back and
+climbed to the top of the bluff, where he found Bob Owens and two other
+non-commissioned officers sitting beside a fire and conversing in low
+tones. At another fire a short distance away sat Lieutenant Earle, the
+officer of the guard, nodding over his pipe.
+
+"Hallo!" exclaimed Bob, "what brought you out here?"
+
+"Oh, I want somebody to talk to," replied George, throwing himself on
+the ground by his friend's side, "Somehow, I can't sleep, and that's a
+new thing for me."
+
+"You are not afraid of the hostiles, are you?" asked a corporal from the
+other side of the fire.
+
+"Oh no, because I know that we have nothing to fear from them on such a
+night as this. If there were any hostiles in the neighborhood, they
+might slip up and steal a few horses, if they thought they could get
+away with their booty, but they wouldn't attack a party of the size of
+ours and bring on an open fight. It is too dark."
+
+"Why, that is just the reason they _would_ attack us," exclaimed the
+corporal, who, although he had often been on a scout, had never
+participated in a battle. "They rely upon the darkness to cover their
+movements and to assist them in effecting a surprise. I have read it a
+hundred times."
+
+"Ah, yes," replied George--"story-book Indians make attacks at all hours
+of the day and night, but live Plains Indians don't. The reason for it
+is this: They believe that they will go into the happy hunting-grounds
+with just the same surroundings that attend their departure from this
+world. If an Indian is crippled or blind or ill, he will be just the
+same Indian in the spirit-land. If he dies from the effects of disease,
+he will suffer from that disease for ever; but if he is killed in battle
+on a pleasant day, and while he is in the possession of all his strength
+and faculties, he will go straight to the Indian's heaven under the most
+favorable circumstances."
+
+"Suppose he is killed on a rainy day?" said the corporal on the other
+side of the fire.
+
+"Or a snowy one?" chimed in a sergeant.
+
+"Then he is doomed to paddle through rain or snow through all eternity,"
+replied George; "and that he doesn't like either is proved by the fact
+that he will not stir out of camp while it is raining or snowing if he
+can help it. If an Indian is hanged, like Captain Jack or those
+thirty-seven warriors who were executed at Mankato in 1863 for
+participation in the Sioux massacre, he loses all chance of ever seeing
+the happy hunting-grounds. So he does if he is scalped; and that's the
+reason Indians make such efforts to carry off the body of a fallen
+comrade. A Plains Indian never willingly goes into a fight during the
+night. If he did, he would make it much warmer for us here on the
+frontier than he does now. He may make use of a night like this to get
+into position for an attack, but if left to himself he will not raise
+the war-whoop before daylight, because he believes that if he is killed
+during the dark he will be condemned to pass all eternity in darkness."
+
+"Well, that is something I never knew before," said the corporal, "and I
+have been on the Plains a good many years. Now that I think of it--"
+
+"Corporal of the guard, No. 7!" came the call through the dense
+darkness, whereupon Bob Owens jumped to his feet.
+
+"What's the trouble out there, I wonder?" said he.
+
+"Go and see," replied the sergeant with a sleepy yawn: "that's the only
+way to find out."
+
+"Sergeant," said the officer of the guard, "if those horses have had
+grass enough, have them brought in and tied to the stable-lines. Look
+well to their fastenings."
+
+"Corporal of the guard, No. 7!" came the call again; and this time it
+was uttered in a louder and more earnest tone.
+
+Bob, who was walking toward post No. 7 with a very deliberate step, now
+broke into a run, and George jumped up and followed him. A fortunate
+thing it was for that camp and its inmates that he did so. His thorough
+acquaintance with the ways of some of the inhabitants of the Plains
+enabled him to prevent a catastrophe which would certainly have resulted
+in a serious loss of life, and brought Captain Clinton's scout to an
+inglorious end then and there. When he and the corporal reached post No.
+7 they found the sentry on duty there lying flat on his stomach and
+gazing earnestly toward the horizon.
+
+"What's the matter, Sprague?" demanded Bob.
+
+"I don't know, I am sure," replied the sentry. "If the hostiles had made
+up their minds to pay us a visit, they wouldn't make such a racket as
+that, would they? There! don't you hear it? Something's coming this way,
+I tell you, and coming on a keen jump, too."
+
+The three held their breath and listened intently. A second later the
+breeze brought to their ears the sound that had attracted the attention
+of the sentry--a deep, rumbling sound, faint and far off, but increasing
+perceptibly in volume. It resembled the constant muttering of distant
+thunder, but they all knew it was not that. Bob's face brightened at
+once, but George's grew pale. The corporal did not know the danger that
+threatened them, but his companion did; he had heard something like it
+before. He had heard it on the night that Fletcher and his band of
+raiders stampeded his stock, and he had thrown himself into an old
+buffalo-wallow and allowed three hundred frantic cattle to gallop over
+his head.
+
+"Why, it must be cavalry from Fort Tyler," said Bob at length.--"But
+I'll tell you what's a fact, boys," he added, as a fresh gust of wind
+brought the sound more plainly to his ears: "there must be lots of them,
+for I never heard such a roar of hoofs before. They are coming this way,
+too. I hope they'll not run over us."
+
+"Well, they _will_ run over us," said George, speaking quickly but
+calmly, "unless you take immediate steps to prevent it. They are not
+cavalry; they are buffaloes."
+
+"Oh! ah!" exclaimed Bob.
+
+"Humph!" ejaculated the sentry, jumping to his feet.--"Don't tell the
+boys what I called you out for, will you, corporal? To tell the truth, I
+was just a little bit--"
+
+He finished the sentence by shrugging his shoulders, and Bob, who knew
+what he meant by that, was about to assure him that he would say nothing
+in the hearing of the "boys" that would enable them to "get the laugh"
+on him, when George Ackerman broke in with--
+
+"You had good reason to be alarmed, and this is not a matter to be
+dropped with an 'ah!' and an 'oh!' and a 'humph!' You are in great
+danger, if you only knew it. Those buffaloes are stampeded, and will not
+stop until they are all out of breath."
+
+"Well, if they don't want to stop, let them run," said Bob. "Who cares?
+They don't owe us anything. They will of course turn aside when they see
+us."
+
+"But they will not see you unless you do something to attract their
+attention," exclaimed George impatiently. "They will be in among us in
+five minutes more, and men and horses will be trampled into the ground
+like blades of grass. Wake up and do something, can't you? The safety of
+the camp depends upon you, and if you don't move, I will."
+
+"Great Moses!" ejaculated Bob. He was thoroughly aroused by the earnest
+words of his companion, but having never been placed in a situation
+like this before, he did not know how to act. "You don't mean that--I
+never heard of--"
+
+"Yes, I do mean that they will trample the whole camp to death unless
+you prevent it; and I don't care whether you ever heard of such a thing
+being done or not," cried George, seizing the corporal by the arm and
+shaking him as if he wanted to put a little energy into him.
+
+"But what shall I do? Shall I order up the reserve and get the horses
+out of the way?"
+
+"You haven't got time to get them out of the way. The buffaloes will be
+upon us before you could take half a dozen of them to a place of safety.
+Arouse the camp the first thing, and then call up a few good men to go
+out and split the herd the moment it comes in sight."
+
+Bob, who was still in the dark, was about to ask how he should go to
+work to "split" the herd after he had selected the men, but George did
+not give him the opportunity. The rumbling of the approaching hoofs grew
+louder and louder, and every moment was precious. It sounded before them
+and to the right and left of them, indicating that the herd was an
+immense one, and that it was advancing with a front broad enough to
+overwhelm the entire camp. Knowing that no more time could be wasted in
+debating the matter, George unslung his Winchester and fired two shots
+into the air. The effect was almost magical. The camp, which had been so
+quiet a second before, was aroused into instant life and activity. Loud
+cries of "Indians!" and "Fall in!" arose on the still air, followed by
+blasts from the bugle and stern notes of command. The officer of the
+guard was promptly on the ground, and to him Bob reported that a herd of
+stampeded buffaloes was bearing down upon them. The announcement
+startled the lieutenant, but he acted with the greatest coolness. As
+fast as the men came up he ordered them back to take care of the
+horses--all except a dozen or so of the best soldiers known to him, whom
+he ordered to follow him. By the time he had taken up his position,
+which was on a little rise of ground about fifty yards from post No. 7,
+Captain Clinton came up. Taking in at a glance the arrangements which
+his subordinate had made to avert the terrible danger that threatened
+the camp, he left him and his picked men to carry out those arrangements
+or perish in the attempt, while he hastened back to see that the horses
+were well secured.
+
+"Steady!" commanded Lieutenant Earle, speaking in his loudest tones, in
+order to make his voice heard above the roar of the threatening hoofs,
+which sounded like the noise made by an approaching hurricane. "We are
+here to conquer or die. If we don't split that herd they will trample us
+out of sight in the ground. We can do it if we are only cool enough to
+hold our position. Don't fire until I give the word, and then put in the
+shots as rapidly as you know how."
+
+Bob's hair fairly stood on end, and not even the calm bearing of George
+Ackerman, who was constantly by his side and who knew their danger
+better than he did, or the lieutenant's assurance that the herd could be
+split if they did their full duty, could relieve Bob's mind of the
+positive conviction that he and his comrades were doomed to certain and
+speedy death. But his courage never faltered, and to show that he did
+not intend to allow himself to be outdone in steadiness even by a
+shoulder-strap, he walked up and kneeling beside his officer (the men in
+the front rank were all kneeling, so that those in the rear rank could
+shoot over their heads) waited for the order to fire.
+
+Nearer came the terror-stricken buffaloes, louder grew the thunder of
+their hoofs, and, as if to add to the horror of the situation and to
+test the courage of the lieutenant and his devoted little band to the
+very utmost, the horses behind them began to grow unmanageable from
+fright and to struggle desperately to escape from their fastenings.
+
+At length, after a few moments of dreadful suspense, the time for action
+arrived. A rapidly-moving mass, which was plainly visible, owing to the
+fact that it was blacker than the darkness of the night, burst into view
+and bore down upon the camp and its little band of defenders. So loud
+was the noise made by their hoofs at this moment that the troopers did
+not hear the order to fire, which the lieutenant shouted out with all
+the power of his lungs; but they saw the flash of his revolver, and lost
+no time in opening a hot fire upon that portion of the herd which was
+directly in front of them. To Bob it seemed that the rapid discharges of
+their breech-loaders had no effect whatever. The black mass before him
+was as black and as dense, apparently, as it was when he first saw it,
+but, strange to say, instead of plunging upon him and his companions and
+trampling them out of all semblance to humanity, it seemed to remain
+stationary, although the deafening roar of those countless hoofs told
+him that the frantic herd had not in the least slackened its pace. In
+fact, his eyes and ears seemed to have suddenly become at "outs," for
+they did not endorse each other as they usually did. His eyes told him
+that his carbine was fired rapidly, for they showed him the flashes that
+followed the pulling of the trigger; but his ears took no note of the
+fact, for he could not hear the faintest report. The reason for this
+was, that the herd, having been split in two by the first volley, was
+moving by on each side of them with a roar and a rush that would have
+drowned the discharge of a section of artillery.
+
+How long the buffaloes were in passing Bob never knew, for he took no
+note of time. It was probably not more than two or three minutes, but
+during that brief period he passed through an ordeal that he never could
+think of afterward without feeling the cold chills creep all over him.
+But he did not flinch, and neither did his companions. When the last of
+the buffaloes passed to the right and left of them, and the lieutenant
+jumped up and stretched his arms and legs as if to assure himself that
+he had not been stepped on anywhere, he found that not one of his men
+had moved from his place. The front rank was still kneeling, the rear
+rank was standing, and they were both as well aligned as they were
+before the firing commenced.
+
+After ordering the front rank to rise, and bestowing upon them all a few
+hearty words of commendation, the lieutenant marched his men back to the
+camp, where they found some of their companions under arms, and the rest
+engaged in bringing in the horses and making them fast to the
+stable-lines. The animals were in such a state of alarm, and showed so
+strong a desire to run off with the retreating buffaloes, that Captain
+Clinton thought it advisable to put a strong guard over them for the
+rest of the night, with instructions to examine their fastenings every
+few minutes. When this guard had been detailed and the sentries had been
+changed, the rest of the troopers went back to their blankets.
+
+Bob and George were proud of the part they had acted in saving the camp
+from destruction, and consequently when they spread their blankets
+beside one of the fires they were somewhat provoked to hear the man who
+was piling fresh fuel upon it attribute their narrow escape to "luck."
+But still there was nothing very surprising in this, for it not
+infrequently happens that a soldier stationed in one end of a camp does
+not know what is going on in the other end of it, especially in times of
+excitement. The same thing happens in a fight. A soldier may be able to
+give a clear statement of the part his company took in it, but he knows
+nothing of the general plan of the battle or of the number of the
+killed, wounded, captured or missing, until he has had time to talk the
+matter over with his comrades or to read a published account of it.
+During the war it was a common saying among the soldiers in the field
+that they never knew anything about the fights they had been in until
+they saw the papers.
+
+"I have been on the Plains nearly three years," said the trooper who was
+punching up the fire, "and that was the first time I ever saw a herd of
+stampeded buffaloes."
+
+"I never saw one," said another trooper. "I heard this one, but my horse
+kept me so busy that I couldn't take time to look at it."
+
+"I had a fair view of it," said the one who had first spoken. "My horse
+was quiet enough after I got the bit between his teeth, so that I could
+manage him, and I stood up there by that farther fire and took it all
+in. I tell you, it was a sight!--a regular cataract of buffaloes a
+hundred feet wide, tumbling over a bank twenty feet high. I have always
+heard that when buffaloes become frightened and get to running they turn
+aside for nothing; but this night's experience gives the lie to all such
+stories, don't it? When they saw our camp they turned to the right and
+left, and crossed the stream above and below us, and never did us the
+least damage. Luck was on our side, wasn't it?"
+
+"'Luck'!" repeated Bob in a tone of disgust; "I guess not. There were
+about a dozen men, of whom George Ackerman and I made two, who stood
+between you fellows and certain death. If we hadn't held our ground as
+if we had grown there, there wouldn't have been one of you left to tell
+the story of this night's work."
+
+The troopers lying about the fire were greatly astonished at these
+words, and called for an immediate explanation. Bob told the story in a
+few words, adding, as he directed the attention of his auditors to
+George Ackerman, who was lying at his ease on his blanket,
+
+"There's the fellow you have to thank for your 'luck.' Sprague heard
+them coming, and so did I after he called me out to his post, but we
+didn't know what it was until Ackerman told us. He was the one who
+alarmed the camp. I know I did something toward splitting that herd, for
+I could see the fire come out of my carbine and my cartridge-box is
+empty, but I never heard a report. I didn't hear anything but the
+thunder of those hoofs, and I shall hear it to my dying day."
+
+"I wonder what started them?" said one of the troopers, after he and his
+companions had asked a few questions concerning the behavior of the
+various members of the squad. "Indians?"
+
+"Probably they did," answered a sergeant, who just then came up to the
+fire to light his pipe, being unable to go to sleep until he had taken a
+smoke to quiet his nerves.
+
+"Probably the Indians had nothing to do with it," said George. "Don't
+you know that a herd of buffaloes will feed within a mile or two of an
+Indian camp for days at a time, while half a dozen white men would scare
+them out of the country in less than an hour? Well, it's a fact."
+
+"What is the reason for it?" asked Bob.
+
+"The reason is to be found in the different modes of hunting them. The
+Indian, who depends largely upon them for food and clothing, kills no
+more of them during a run than the squaws can take care of. He hunts
+them almost altogether with the bow and arrow, which are not only very
+effective weapons at short range, but they make no noise to scare away
+the game. He hunts according to long-established rules, none but the
+best men in the tribe being permitted to take part in a run, and in this
+way the game is secured before the buffaloes get frightened enough to
+break into a stampede. The white man, who hunts principally for profit,
+keeps up the killing as long as he can hold the herd within range of his
+gun. He follows them persistently during the daytime, and at night lies
+in wait to shoot them as they come to the streams to quench their
+thirst. A buffalo is a very stupid animal, but, after all, it doesn't
+take him long to get some things through his head."
+
+"Fresh, purty _fresh_!" murmured a voice.
+
+George looked over his shoulders and saw the scout lying close by on his
+blanket. He had come up to the fire and arranged his bed without
+attracting the attention of any one.
+
+"Do you think there is nobody in this party who knows anything except
+yourself?" demanded George.
+
+"Well, no; judgin' by the way you sling your chin, you know it all,"
+replied the scout.
+
+"What do you suppose first put this herd in motion?" asked one of the
+troopers, who had not yet gained all the information he wanted.
+
+"That's a question that nobody can answer unless he was on the ground
+and saw them start," answered George.--"You'll not dispute that, will
+you, Mose?--Our Texas cattle will often get stampeded by the sight of a
+little cloud of dust that is suddenly raised by the wind; or some night
+a careless herdsman may step between them and the fire and throw his
+shadow upon them; or some of the young and foolish members of a drove
+will fall to skylarking, and that will frighten the others, and the
+first thing you know they are all off like the wind. Buffaloes have just
+as little sense. My herdsman has told me that he has seen hundreds of
+them, when they were suffering for water, walk into a stream that was
+literally choked with the bodies of their companions who had been caught
+in the quicksand."
+
+"Say," growled a drowsy trooper from his blanket, "suppose you boys go
+somewhere and hire a hall?"
+
+George laughed, and, taking the hint thus delicately thrown out, brought
+his lecture on buffaloes to a close. The remembrance of the thrilling
+scene through which he had just passed did not keep him awake. On the
+contrary, sleep came to his eyes almost immediately, and the last sound
+he heard as he was about to pass into the land of dreams was the subdued
+voice of the scout murmuring, "Fresh, very fresh!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKES.
+
+
+The camp was aroused at an early hour the next morning, and by the time
+it was fairly daylight breakfast had been disposed of and the column was
+again in motion. The firing-squad had brought down a goodly number of
+buffaloes in their efforts to split the herd--enough to furnish the
+whole camp with a hearty meal and to enable each trooper to carry two
+days' cooked rations in his haversack. During the first few miles of
+their march there was no trail for them to follow, all traces of the
+thieving Kiowas having been obliterated by the hoofs of the stampeded
+buffaloes; but this did not interfere with the movements of the scout,
+who, from the start, led the way at a rapid pace. He knew the general
+direction in which the trail led, and that was enough for him.
+
+"Where do you think we shall pick it up again?" asked Captain Clinton
+of George, who rode by his side.
+
+"Do you see that butte?" asked George in reply, directing the officer's
+attention to a single high peak in the distance, which marked the
+south-eastern boundary of the dreaded Staked Plains. "We shall not see
+another drop of water until we reach that mountain, and we shall find
+some traces of the Indians there, if we do not find them before."
+
+"Purty fresh!" exclaimed the scout, who had overheard every word of this
+conversation.
+
+"Well, if you know better, why don't you say so?" demanded George.
+"Every prediction I have made so far has turned out to be correct. Now,
+see how far I miss it when I tell you that the Indians camped beside
+that butte last night."
+
+"Then we are gaining on them?" said the captain.
+
+"We are," was the boy's confident reply. "And for the reason that we
+have followed a direct course and ridden rapidly, while the Indians took
+a roundabout way and moved slowly, being hampered by their stolen
+cattle."
+
+George's calculations proved to be correct. About three o'clock in the
+afternoon they again took up the trail, and followed it at a gallop.
+They reached the peak just before dark, and found abundant evidence that
+the Indians had recently camped there. The troopers halted here too to
+get a little rest and a wink of sleep, but at nine o'clock they were
+once more on the move. The next halt was made about two in the morning,
+and at daylight they were again in their saddles and riding ahead as
+rapidly as ever. The trail led them along the borders of the Staked
+Plains, giving some of the troopers, who had never before scouted so far
+in this direction, their first view of that desolate region. A
+gloomy-looking place it was. As far as their eyes could reach they could
+see nothing but sandhills, with stunted weeds and clumps of grass which
+seemed to be struggling hard to maintain a foothold in the arid soil.
+
+They had marched perhaps ten miles from their last camp when George
+Ackerman, who was riding by Captain Clinton's side, discovered
+something. He looked at it for a moment, and then called the officer's
+attention to it.
+
+"They have begun their tricks at last," said he. "Do you see that dark
+streak out there in the grass? That's a new trail. There! Mose has
+discovered it, and is going out to see what it looks like."
+
+Bringing the column to a halt, the captain, accompanied by George and
+some of the officers, rode forward to the place where the scout, who had
+got down from his horse, stood bending over the trail. After he had
+taken plenty of time in which to make his investigations, he
+straightened up to announce the result.
+
+"Four of them varmints has gone this way, cap," said he. "They've left a
+plain trail, on purpose to coax you to foller 'em."
+
+"They shall be gratified," answered the captain promptly. "As my party
+is larger than theirs, I can stand more divisions than they can. I would
+as soon whip them in detail as to whip them in a lump.--Earle, take a
+dozen men from your troop and follow it up."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied the lieutenant.
+
+"Have you brought your signal-code with you? All right! If you discover
+anything startling, send a courier to me with the fullest details. I
+will follow along after the main body. Be cautious, but at the same time
+keep moving, for we ought to be within striking distance of those
+rascals in a few hours more."
+
+The lieutenant saluted and rode back to the column, drawing his sword
+as he went. Dropping the weapon behind the third column of fours, he
+gave the order. "The first three fours, right by twos--march! Column
+left--march!"
+
+This brought the selected twelve alongside the new trail, which they at
+once began to follow up at a gallop, waving their caps to their comrades
+as they rode away. By selecting his men in this way the lieutenant did
+not happen to take Bob Owens, who rode farther back in the column. The
+young soldier, who was not in the habit of being slighted when there was
+anything of this kind going on, was both surprised and provoked at his
+officer; but he afterward thanked him for choosing his men as he did,
+and congratulated himself on having been left behind. Mr. Wentworth
+gazed longingly after the lieutenant, and sometimes seemed on the point
+of riding in pursuit of him; but he finally made up his mind to stay
+with the main column.
+
+The troopers presently resumed the march, keeping up the same rapid pace
+as before, and in a few minutes lost sight of Lieutenant Earle and his
+party, who disappeared among the sandhills. The latter must have ridden
+very swiftly, for shortly after noon they were a long distance from the
+main body, their position being pointed out by a slender column of
+white smoke that suddenly arose in the air.
+
+"That's them varmints, cap," said the scout, whose eye was quick to
+detect the signal. "They're talkin' to each other."
+
+"I know there is somebody where that smoke comes from, but I am not sure
+that they are hostiles," replied Captain Clinton. "On the contrary, I am
+of the opinion that the men who built that fire want to talk to _me_. At
+any rate, I shall soon know."
+
+As the captain said this he pulled his watch from his pocket with one
+hand, and with the other produced a note-book, which he held ready for
+reference. The column was not halted, but the eye of every man in it was
+fastened upon the distant smoke. When it had ascended to such a height
+that its top seemed lost in the clouds, it was suddenly cut loose from
+the ground by some mysterious agency, and floated off into space. A few
+seconds passed, and then two balloon-shaped clouds arose in quick
+succession from the same spot, and George took note of the fact that
+when the last one arose the captain looked at his watch. Another short
+interval elapsed, and then two more clouds arose, and finally two more;
+whereupon the captain gave his knee a ringing slap and consulted his
+note-book.
+
+"I knew I couldn't be mistaken," said he. "That's from Earle, and he is
+about to communicate with me by courier.--Push ahead now, scout, for he
+is on a hot trail. Hallo! have you found another?" he added as the
+scout, instead of obeying the order to "push ahead," suddenly drew up
+his horse and threw himself from his saddle. "How many have gone off
+this time?"
+
+"The same number," answered the scout, "an' they were goin' somewhar
+too, for their ponies were movin' at full jump when they turned off
+here. They're up to some trick or another, but I can't tell yet what it
+is."
+
+"Then we must find out, for it is our business to look into these little
+things. I should like to know where this trail leads to, and I want--Let
+me see."
+
+The captain turned about and ran his eye over the column, which came to
+a halt as soon as the commanding officer was seen to stop his horse. He
+seemed to be in a quandary, out of which he was helped almost
+immediately by the sight of a soldierly figure upon which his gaze
+rested for a moment.
+
+"He's the man I want," said the captain aloud.--"Ackerman, will you tell
+Lieutenant Smith, who is now in command of Earle's troop, that I want to
+see Corporal Owens?"
+
+"Certainly, sir. May I go with him?" replied George, who knew in a
+moment that there was something in the wind.
+
+The captain nodded assent, and George galloped back to the column. When
+he returned Bob Owens rode at his side. The captain was writing--copying
+something upon a piece of paper from his note-book--but he stopped long
+enough to return Bob's salute, although he did not say anything to him.
+Seeing that the officer's horse was growing restive at the delay, and
+that by his constant pawing and tossing of his head he disturbed his
+rider, who did his writing while seated in the saddle, Bob dismounted
+and took the animal by the bridle, and the troopers who remained in
+column seized the opportunity to fill and light their pipes.
+
+"There!" said the captain at length.--"Step up here, corporal, and I
+will explain this to you.--Ackerman, tell Lieutenant Smith to pick out
+twelve good men to follow this new trail."
+
+By the time the lieutenant had received and obeyed this order, Captain
+Clinton, who was a fast talker, had told the corporal just what he
+wanted him to do, and explained to him the contents of the paper he had
+copied from his note-book; and Bob, who was quick to comprehend, had
+caught and weighed all his words as fast as they were uttered. He then
+put himself at the head of his men and led them away, George Ackerman
+riding by his side.
+
+"Now we are off for another lark," exclaimed Carey as soon as he and his
+companions had left the column out of hearing. By some chance, he and
+Loring and Phillips had been selected to accompany Bob on every one of
+his expeditions, and as they had never failed to accomplish the object
+for which they were sent out, they began to think that there was nothing
+too hard for them to undertake.
+
+"But this may not be so much of a 'lark' as you think," said Bob; and
+Carey afterward recalled the words when he found himself debarred from
+accompanying other scouting-parties on account of a painful wound in
+his sword-arm. "We are not out after deserters now, but Indians."
+
+"What are you going to do with them if you find them?" asked Loring.
+
+"I shall make things as lively for them as I can," replied Bob. "But I
+don't think I shall come up with them; and the captain doesn't expect me
+to. He is going to follow every trail and force the Indians to go back
+to their agency, whether they want to go or not; that is, unless we can
+overhaul them before they get there."
+
+"I _know_ we are not out on a 'lark,'" said George Ackerman. "What would
+you say if we had to go into camp to-night without water?"
+
+"Gracious!" exclaimed Phillips, looking around at the sandhills, which
+now shut them in on all sides. "The prospect of finding a stream or a
+spring is not very flattering, is it? I wish we could find one now, for
+the water in my canteen is just ready to boil."
+
+"You had better be careful of it," said George, "for it is much better
+than none at all."
+
+"Is there any water to be found in this country?"
+
+"Oh yes; and this trail will take us to it by the shortest route. An
+Indian can't live without water any more than we can, and he knows just
+where to find it."
+
+"Say, George," exclaimed Bob suddenly, "didn't I hear Mose say that when
+the four horses that made this trail turned off the _big_ trail, they
+were going at full speed?"
+
+George replied that he did say so.
+
+"How did he know it?" continued Bob.
+
+"By the looks of the tracks and the distance between them. When a horse
+is walking his hind foot covers about half the print made by his fore
+foot, and the tracks are from two and a half to three feet apart. When
+the horse is trotting the tracks are not so distinct, the one made by
+the fore foot being nearly covered up, and they are from seven to eight
+feet apart. When he is running the print of only one foot can be seen,
+as a general thing the ground about the tracks is considerably
+disturbed, and they are from seven to twelve feet apart."
+
+If Carey and the rest of the squad did not learn to their entire
+satisfaction that they were not out on a picnic this time, the horses on
+which they were mounted certainly did, for before an hour had passed
+they were very much in need of water--so much so that Bob brought them
+down to a trot, and at last to a walk. At the end of another hour their
+riders began to suffer in the same way, and it was not long before every
+drop in their canteens, warm as it was, had disappeared. Whether it was
+the parched appearance of things around them; or the effects of the
+wind, which came into their faces as hot as a blast from a furnace; or
+the reflection of the sun's rays from the sandhills around them; or the
+sand itself, which arose in the air when disturbed by their horses'
+hoofs, and settled in their mouths and nostrils,--whether it was one or
+all of these causes combined that made them so very thirsty they did not
+think to inquire, but certain it was that they would have welcomed the
+discovery of a water-course more heartily now than at any other time
+during their march. Just how long this state of affairs was to continue
+they did not know, for there was not one among them who could tell
+whether water was five or twenty miles off. The only thing they could do
+was to follow the trail and await the issue of events with all the
+patience they could command.
+
+After they had been separated from the main column for about three
+hours, two incidents happened which served to relieve the monotony of
+the march, and caused them, for the time being, to forget how
+uncomfortably hot and dusty and thirsty they were. As they were riding
+silently along behind George Ackerman, whose fast-walking nag had
+carried him some distance in advance of the squad, they saw him draw
+rein all of a sudden and raise his hand with a warning gesture. Then he
+backed his horse under cover of a convenient sandhill, and pulling his
+field-glass from the case he carried slung over his shoulder, he
+levelled it at some object that had attracted his attention, but which
+could not be seen by the troopers.
+
+Bob at once ordered a halt, and rode forward to inquire into the matter.
+When he reached George's side he found himself on the outskirts of a
+sort of basin in the plain, which looked as though it might have been
+scooped out by the wind. It was covered with sand, and dotted here and
+there with little bunches of yellow grass and weeds. On the opposite
+side of this basin, which was perhaps a mile and a half wide, was a
+single horseman, who was riding toward them at a rapid pace.
+
+"I couldn't make out, at that distance, whether he was a friend or foe,
+so I thought it best to warn you," said George.
+
+"That was all right, of course. Can you make him out with your glass?"
+
+"Very plainly. He's a soldier--one of Lieutenant Earle's men, probably."
+
+"That's just who he is," exclaimed Bob after he had taken a look at the
+horseman through the field-glass. "I know him. That signal-smoke we saw
+just before we left the column was sent up to inform the captain that
+Earle had despatched a courier to him with some important news, and now
+we will find out what it is.--Come on, fellows," he added, waving his
+hand to the squad; "it is one of our own company, boys."
+
+Bob and his companion rode out in plain view, and a few seconds later
+the troopers joined them. Their sudden appearance must have astonished
+the approaching courier, and perhaps alarmed him too, for he pulled up
+his horse with a jerk, and, shading his eyes with his hand, gazed at
+them long and earnestly. They waved their caps to reassure him, and in a
+few minutes he came up. The first words he uttered showed that he had
+already had quite enough of scouting in the Staked Plains.
+
+"Did anybody ever see so dreary a hole as this?" said he as he lifted
+his cap and drew his handkerchief across his forehead--"nothing but
+sandhills as far as you can see, and one looks so much like another that
+a fellow don't know how to shape a course. It must be just fearful in
+here when the wind blows.--I say, corporal, where am I? and what are you
+doing out here?"
+
+"I can't answer your first question, for I don't know myself," answered
+Bob. "I was sent out to follow a new trail we found just after you sent
+up that smoke. What was the meaning of it?--Carey, climb up to the top
+of that sandhill and tell us if you can see anything."
+
+"Lieutenant Earle sent up that smoke to let the captain know that he was
+about to send him some news," replied the horseman; "and I don't see why
+the captain didn't send up a reply, for I don't know where to find him."
+
+"I will point out his position as near as I can before you leave us,"
+said Bob. "Is that news of any importance?"
+
+"I should say it was," exclaimed the courier. "We've struck it hot, I
+tell you. On the banks of a little stream we found somewhere off in that
+direction--"
+
+"Look here, Aleck!" exclaimed Loring; "I thought that canteen of yours
+looked as though it had been dipped in water not so _very_ long ago. Why
+don't you pass it around? We haven't got a drop left."
+
+"Is that so?" said the courier, who promptly unslung his canteen. "You
+are welcome to it, but touch it easy, so that everybody can have a
+taste, and don't forget to save some for Carey.--As I was saying, on the
+banks of that stream the scout discovered the tracks of little boots."
+
+The troopers all uttered exclamations when they heard this, and Loring
+was so anxious to hear more that he forgot he was thirsty, and after
+holding the canteen in his hand for a moment passed it to a comrade
+without tasting of its contents.
+
+"Mr. Wentworth acted as though he thought he ought to go with Lieutenant
+Earle's squad, and when he hears that he will be sorry that he stayed
+behind," observed Bob.
+
+"Won't he, though!" said the courier.
+
+"I suppose there is no doubt that the tracks were made by his boys?"
+said George.
+
+"None whatever. How could there be? The Indians have no other prisoners
+with them."
+
+"They have none that we know of," said George. "But as they visited
+other ranches, they may have taken other boys captive."
+
+"How do you know that they did visit other ranches?" demanded the
+courier. "Mr. Wentworth didn't say anything about it in my hearing."
+
+"Nor in mine, either," replied George. "But he did say in my hearing
+that he had lost not more than half a dozen horses, and the trail shows
+that they have more than fifty with them."
+
+"Well," said the courier, looking down at the horn of his saddle in a
+brown study, "if that's the case, the Indians may have--No, they didn't,
+either," he added, brightening. "Mr. Wentworth told the colonel, in
+Lieutenant Earle's hearing, that the Indians jumped down on his ranche
+just after he had finished mending his oldest boy's boots. He put a
+patch on each one of them just under the ball of the foot, and those
+patches showed in the tracks."
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed George, "that will pass for evidence."
+
+"At any rate," continued the courier, "I was ordered to tell the captain
+that we were on the trail of the party who had the children. That's all
+the news I have, I believe.--What shall I tell the captain for you,
+corporal?"
+
+"Say to him that you found me following up my trail as fast as the
+condition of my horses would permit," answered Bob. "It is as plain as
+daylight, and if I could only get some water now and then, I could
+follow it at a gallop.--What is it, Carey?"
+
+"A smoke away off to the south-east," replied the soldier, who was lying
+flat on the top of the nearest sandhill.
+
+Bob at once dismounted and made his way up the hill, followed by George
+and the courier. They did not expose their full height to view, but
+crept up on their hands and knees, and when they reached the top pulled
+off their caps before they looked over it. They knew that Indians, when
+they are retreating, always leave some of their number to watch the
+trail, and they adopted these precautions in order to avoid discovery by
+these rear-guards should there chance to be any in the neighborhood. The
+reflection of the sun's rays from the brass ornaments on their caps
+would have been seen by a watchful Indian at an almost incredible
+distance.
+
+"I see the smoke," said Bob, pulling from his pocket the paper which
+Captain Clinton had given him--"Where is your watch, George? Now look
+for the signal."
+
+The smoke, like the one Lieutenant Earle had sent up a few hours before,
+ascended in a straight, slender column for a few seconds, and then
+floated away out of sight. A few seconds later three little columns,
+shaped like the clouds which are thrown out by the discharge of a
+cannon, arose in the air in quick succession, followed after a little
+delay by three others. Bob waited and watched, but as no more clouds
+appeared, he knew that the signal had been made. The next thing was to
+find out what it meant.
+
+"George," said he, "after those first three smokes appeared how long was
+it before the others were seen?"
+
+"Just thirty seconds," replied the time-keeper.
+
+Bob ran his eye over the paper he held in his hand, and presently found
+the following, which he read aloud: "Three smokes, followed at the
+interval of half a minute by three others, are intended to point out the
+position of the signalling-party."--"There you are!" said he, turning to
+the courier. "Fix in your mind the place from which that smoke arose,
+and then travel a little to the north of it, so as to allow for the
+captain's progress, and you will find him."
+
+"How far away was that smoke?" asked the courier as he and his
+companions crept back down the hill.
+
+"Fifteen miles," replied George.
+
+"Whew! Well, I'll get there if I can. Who's got my canteen? Why, you
+have left some in it!" he added as one of the squad handed him the
+article in question. "Don't any of you want another taste?"
+
+Yes, there were plenty there who could have drained the canteen to the
+last drop and then called for more, but knowing that the courier would
+have need of it before he had galloped fifteen miles under that broiling
+sun with the hot wind blowing upon him, they all declared that they had
+had enough.
+
+After Carey and Loring had moistened their parched lips the courier
+sprang upon his horse and waved his farewell, while Bob and his men,
+feeling somewhat refreshed, took up the trail again and followed it at a
+trot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+ANOTHER FEATHER FOR BOB'S CAP.
+
+
+The second diversion of which we have spoken occurred about an hour
+after Lieutenant Earle's courier left them. It was nothing more nor less
+than the discovery of the fact that the party of whom they were in
+pursuit had been joined by another warrior, whose pony's tracks came
+from the direction in which the lieutenant was supposed to be scouting.
+Bob and his men did not seem to attach much importance to this, but
+George did. He looked the ground over very carefully, and reached
+conclusions that astonished himself.
+
+"Bob Owens," said he in a low tone as they resumed the march, "you've
+got another chance to put a feather in your hat--a big one, too.
+Lieutenant Earle will never rescue Mr. Wentworth's boys, but you can if
+you're smart."
+
+Bob, who always listened in the greatest amazement (and with some
+incredulity, too, it must be confessed) to his friend's predictions,
+could only look the surprise he felt. How any one, by simply looking at
+a pony's track, could tell what a party of men whom he had never seen
+were going to do, he could not understand.
+
+"To begin with," continued George, "our Indians expected to have an
+addition made to their party, and they expected also that it would be
+made just where it _was_ made. How do I know that? By the looks of
+things. The ponies were all huddled together in one place, and they must
+have stood there a good while, judging by the stamping they did. Their
+riders must have dismounted there, for I saw the prints of their
+moccasins in the sand. I noticed also that the side of the nearest
+sandhill had been disturbed, and that told me that one of their number
+had climbed up there to watch for the expected warrior."
+
+"Perhaps he was watching for us," suggested Bob.
+
+"If he was, he wouldn't have watched for us with his feet, would he?"
+demanded George.
+
+"'With his feet'?" echoed Bob.
+
+"Yes. He would have been more likely to watch for us with his eyes."
+
+"How do you know that he didn't?"
+
+"Because he climbed up on our side of the hill, and that would have
+exposed his whole body to our view if we had been anywhere within sight
+of him. His eyes were turned the other way; that is, in Lieutenant
+Earle's direction. He wasn't afraid of being seen by us, but he took all
+due precautions to conceal himself from the gaze of any one who might
+happen to come that way from Lieutenant Earle's command; for near the
+place where the ponies were standing I saw the tufts of grass he had
+pulled up to tie around his head."
+
+"Well, I am beat!" exclaimed Bob.
+
+"What beats you?"
+
+"You do: I didn't see any of those things."
+
+"Probably you didn't, for the reason that you didn't look for them. You
+see, I have passed a good many years on the Plains, and I have learned
+that eternal vigilance is the price of a cowboy's life and liberty. When
+his scalp depends upon the correct reading of such signs as those which
+I have just described to you, he is not often caught napping. My long
+association with Zeke, whose eyes seemed to be everywhere, has got me
+into the habit of keeping my own eyes open. Probably there were other
+things there that would have been perfectly plain to Zeke or Mountain
+Mose which I didn't see.
+
+"Now, of course I don't _know_ that this new warrior brought Mr.
+Wentworth's children with him when he came over to join our Indians, but
+everything seems to point that way. One of the proofs--and the
+strongest, in my humble opinion--is found in the fact that the Indians
+allowed their captives to dismount on the banks of that stream the
+courier told us of. I am inclined to believe that they went farther than
+that, and compelled the boys to walk in the mud and leave their tracks
+there."
+
+"I don't see why they did that," observed Bob. "I should think they
+would want to keep everybody from knowing where the boys were."
+
+"So they would if they had intended to keep the boys with them, but they
+did not. This is their plan, as near as I can get at it; and in order to
+make my explanation clearer I will call the party of which Lieutenant
+Earle is in pursuit No. 1, that which we want to find No. 2, and that
+the captain is following up No. 3. The warriors in No. 1 are doubtless
+the best mounted of all the raiders. When they separated from the main
+body they left a broad trail, so that they could be easily followed,
+taking the children with them, and leaving now and then a sign of their
+presence, for no other purpose than to coax the captain to follow them
+with his whole force. As soon as they reached a piece of rocky ground,
+where a pony's feet would leave no track, one of their number picked up
+the boys and brought them over here, where party No. 2 was waiting for
+him. Those he left behind will show themselves to Lieutenant Earle
+occasionally, and perhaps open a little fight with him, just to induce
+him to continue the pursuit. Party No. 3 will drive the stock ahead as
+fast as possible, and get away with it if they can; but if they find
+that they are likely to be overtaken, they will drop the cattle and do
+everything they can to keep the captain on their trail, so as to give
+party No. 2 a chance to escape with the prisoners. Now, that's a long
+story, and no doubt it is a hard one to believe; but I don't think I am
+far from right when I tell you that it is quite in your power to carry
+off the honors of this expedition. Captain Clinton will have his hands
+full until he recovers that stock; so will Lieutenant Earle as long as
+he follows those will-o'-the-wisps in front of him; and to you will be
+left the duty, as well as the privilege, of looking out for the safety
+of Mr. Wentworth's little boys."
+
+"Whew!" panted Bob, who was very much impressed, although not wholly
+convinced, by his companion's clear and forcible reasoning. "Then I am
+the chief man in this scout, am I? Suppose--I say, just _suppose_--I
+should be lucky enough to rescue those boys alive and unharmed, what
+would the fellows say? What would Mr. Wentworth say?"
+
+"The boys would cheer you, and you would win Mr. Wentworth's everlasting
+gratitude," replied George. "But, Bob, the prisoners have not been
+rescued yet, and I warn you that unless you are as sly as a fox you will
+be the means of their death. If the Indians discover you, and find
+themselves unable to escape, their very first act will be to kill those
+boys."
+
+"Good gracious!" exclaimed Bob, dropping his reins upon the horn of his
+saddle and pulling off his cap with one hand while he scratched his head
+vigorously with the other. "_Good_ gracious! The captain never thought
+of that when he sent me off with this squad, did he? George, the
+responsibility is too heavy for me. I think I'll ask the captain where
+he is, and then go and report to him."
+
+"That wouldn't be a very smart trick," protested George. "You would not
+only be taken to task for wasting valuable time, but the Indians, seeing
+a smoke that they couldn't understand arise on their trail, would take
+the alarm at once, and you would lose a fine chance of distinguishing
+yourself."
+
+"Don't you suppose they saw the smoke that Lieutenant Earle sent up?"
+
+"Of course they did--the captain's too. Those same smokes were a good
+thing for us, for I am of the opinion that they threw our party off
+their guard by leading them to believe they are not pursued. You mustn't
+send up a smoke along this trail if you want to catch those Indians.
+What are your orders, anyhow?"
+
+"To follow the trail until I am recalled or until the Indians throw me
+off entirely," replied Bob.
+
+"Then don't you see that you would be disobeying orders by marching your
+squad back to the column without a recall?" asked George. "You would
+surely get yourself into trouble by doing that, and besides, you would
+be hauled over the coals for not taking better care of your men and
+horses. They couldn't stand twenty miles more to-night without a rest,
+and how much of a rest could they get here in this oven, with no grass
+or water? Don't do it, Bob."
+
+"But the prisoners--just think of the prisoners!" exclaimed the
+perplexed corporal. "I don't want to feel that I am responsible for any
+harm that may befall them."
+
+"I don't see how you are going to shirk it."
+
+"Well, will you take command?"
+
+"Certainly not," answered George quickly. "Don't confess your incapacity
+by surrendering your authority. Besides, a scout never commands--he only
+advises; and I will help you in that way all I can. Go on, and say that
+you will do your best."
+
+"I will," said Bob, slamming his cap upon his head and seating himself
+firmly in his saddle. "If we can only place ourselves in a position to
+cover those boys, the Indians will not have a chance to touch them, I'll
+bet you. My men are all good marksmen."
+
+"And I am a tolerable one myself," said George. "A single hair of those
+boys' heads is worth the lives of all the Indians that ever saw the
+Staked Plains, and if it becomes necessary to shoot in their defence, I
+am ready. There is a high sandhill, and if you will stop here for a few
+minutes I will go up and see if I can discover anything."
+
+Bob raised his hand to halt the squad, and George swung himself out of
+his saddle. His first care was to lay aside his cap and rifle, and his
+next to pull up a quantity of grass and weeds to be used as a screen.
+With these in one hand and his field-glass in the other he crept slowly
+to the top of the sandhill, and, holding the screen a few inches above
+the ground, he pushed his field-glass under it and looked around.
+
+"Aha!" was his mental exclamation, "I shall have good news to carry back
+to the boys. There's a deep gully about five miles off, and there must
+be a stream of water running through it, or else those willows would not
+be growing there. I wish we had got here an hour earlier, for then I
+should have had daylight to aid me in making my observations. The
+Indians probably halted in that gully a few hours ago, and the question
+to be decided now is--Hallo! If that isn't smoke rising among those
+trees, what is it? And didn't that little cluster of bushes over there
+on the top of that hill shift its position just now?"
+
+George's heart beat wildly as he propounded these inquiries to himself.
+He took another long look, and then with a very slow and gradual motion
+he deposited his screen upon the sand and backed down to the plain. His
+stealthy movements told the troopers that he had seen something.
+
+"Corporal," said he as they rode up to him, "before you ask any
+questions let me suggest that you order your men to remove their sabres
+as quietly as possibly."
+
+Bob quickly unhooked his own sabre from his belt, and looked at his men,
+who made all haste to follow his example. They knew that there could be
+but one reason for this order. A steel scabbard hanging by the side of a
+careless rider will strike against his spurs with every step his horse
+takes, or rattle against his leg as the trooper walks about, giving out
+a clear ringing sound that will betray his presence to foes far less
+watchful and sharp-eared than Indians.
+
+"So we have run them into their holes, have we?" said Bob when he had
+acted upon George's suggestion.
+
+"That remains to be seen. They are camped about five miles from here,
+and one of their lookouts is watching the trail."
+
+The troopers looked at Bob as if to ask what he was going to do about
+it, and Bob, who had as little idea of the orders he ought to give under
+the circumstances as he had of the Greek language, looked at George. The
+latter did not say anything, for he wanted the troopers to hold fast to
+their belief that the corporal was able to act for himself in any and
+every emergency; but he gave his friend a look that was plainly
+understood.
+
+"Dismount," commanded Bob; "we'll rest here until we can determine upon
+something. Let every man keep fast hold of his horse, for a neigh from
+one of them would make dough of our cake in a little less than no time.
+Eat and whisper as much as you please, but--"
+
+"Don't smoke," put in George.
+
+"Oh, Moses!" ejaculated the troopers in subdued tones.
+
+"An Indian will smell smoke from a pipe or a camp-fire a long distance,"
+added George.
+
+"Then keep your pipes in your pockets, where they can't do any
+mischief," said Bob.--"George, I'd like to take a look at that camp."
+
+George at once led the way up the hill, but when he neared the top he
+said in a whisper,
+
+"Perhaps you had better trust to my eyes instead of your own; not but
+that you can see as far as I can, but you might be a little careless in
+handling that screen, and the least false motion on your part would be
+seen by that lookout, whose eyes are as good as a telescope."
+
+"All right!" replied Bob, who wondered what he should have done if
+George had not been there to advise him. "What shall we do?"
+
+"Let me take another look, and then I will talk to you."
+
+So saying, George crept back to the top of the hill and looked under his
+screen as before. It was rapidly growing dark, but he could see that the
+sentry still kept his position, and that the camp-fire was burning
+brightly.
+
+"They do not stand in the least fear of pursuit," said he as he backed
+down to Bob's side, "but they have taken measures to prevent surprise,
+as they always do when they are on the war-path."
+
+"How long do you suppose that sentry will stay there?"
+
+"Just as long as his friends stay in the gully. I do not mean by that
+that this particular Indian will act as lookout all the time, but that
+some member of the party will be constantly on the watch."
+
+The first thing to be done was to decide upon a plan of operations, and
+this took a good deal of hard thinking, for there was a good deal
+depending upon it. George made the most of the suggestions, and Bob
+accepted every one of them without argument. The camp was to be attacked
+as soon as they could get within reach of it: both were agreed upon
+that. Bob advised a surround, in order to prevent the escape of any of
+the Indians; but George objected, urging as a reason for his objections
+that no one but an Indian could work his way through those thick bushes
+and trees without making a good deal of noise, and that would knock the
+whole thing in the head.
+
+"Don't be too ambitious," said he. "Don't try to grab too big a handful,
+and so run the risk of losing everything. Keep your men near you, so
+that you can have an eye on every one of them. Look out for the boys;
+and if by so doing you give the Indians a chance to escape, as you will
+most likely, let them go and welcome."
+
+An immediate advance having been resolved upon, and the part that each
+man was to play in the coming fight (provided the Indians decided to
+make a fight of it) having been thoroughly discussed, Bob and his
+companion returned to the place where they had left the troopers. The
+former issued his orders in a few brief words, and in a very short space
+of time eight barefooted men, armed only with their carbines and
+revolvers, were drawn up in line ready to do his further bidding; while
+the four troopers who were to be left behind to hold the horses and to
+take care of the sabres, shoes and stockings which their lucky comrades
+had thrown upon the ground, listened with as good grace as they could to
+a few parting words from their corporal.
+
+"Now, boys," said the latter, "keep quiet and don't smoke. We have been
+following the trail of only five Indians, but we don't know how many may
+have joined them since they went into camp; so you must hold yourselves
+in readiness for any emergency. Keep a good lookout for the signal, and
+if you don't see it by the time the moon rises, which will be about
+midnight, take care of yourselves. Draw as straight a course for the
+column as you can, and tell the boys, when you find them, that the reds
+got the best of us while we were trying to do our duty. Good-bye.--Lead
+on, George."
+
+Although our hero had passed his life amid scenes of danger, and more
+than once listened to the sound of hostile bullets (that was during the
+"neighborhood row" of which we have spoken in the first volume of this
+series), he had never before taken part in a scout after Indians, and it
+may be readily imagined that Bob's parting words did not serve to
+encourage him in any great degree. Bob seemed to think that there was a
+possibility that their attempted surprise might end in utter defeat. The
+bare thought was enough to make George's hair stand on end, but it did
+not make him lose any of the sympathy he felt for the boy-captives or
+falter in his resolve to do all he could toward effecting their release.
+In obedience to Bob's order to "lead on" he raised his rifle to his
+shoulder and glided off into the darkness, the troopers following in
+single file. Before he had marched half a mile Bob hurried up and placed
+himself by his side.
+
+"Say, George," he whispered, "you are not going toward the camp. If you
+follow this course, you will miss it by half a mile or more."
+
+"I don't want to go toward the camp," was the reply. "We must circle
+around so as to come up in the rear of that sentry, who, as I told you,
+will stay on the top of that hill as long as his friends stay in the
+gully."
+
+"Do you think we can capture him without alarming the others?"
+
+"We are not going to try; at least, I sha'n't advise it. If we can save
+the boys, we ought to be satisfied. That sentry will dig out as soon as
+he scents danger, and all we can do is to let him go."
+
+"How awful still it is, and how fearful dark!" continued Bob. "I hope
+you won't get confused and miss your way."
+
+"There is no danger of that," replied George confidently. "I can see the
+stars, and they are as good as a compass to me. I have often travelled
+by them, and they have never fooled me yet."
+
+"Where are the wolves, I wonder?" said Bob, who was so impatient and so
+highly excited that he could not long hold his peace. "They keep up
+their unearthly howls every night when we wish them a thousand miles
+away, but now, when a yelp from one of them would be a relief, they
+don't put in an appearance."
+
+"And I am glad of it," said George. "Don't you know that a pack of
+wolves are the best sentries a camping-party can have?"
+
+Yes, Bob said he was aware of that fact.
+
+"Well," continued George, "don't you see that the little breeze there is
+stirring is blowing from us toward the camp? If there were any wolves
+around, they would probably be on the other side of the gully, for it
+would be a waste of time for them to prowl around here among these
+sandhills, where they couldn't find even a rabbit to eat. The moment
+they caught our wind they would scamper off, and then 'Good-bye,
+prisoners.' I wish I knew where those Indians have staked out their
+ponies, for I stand more in fear of them than I do of that sentry. If we
+should get to windward of them, they would kick up a rumpus directly."
+
+The longer Bob talked with George the more clearly the difficulties
+attending his undertaking seemed to stand but before him, and the
+greater grew his anxiety and impatience. If his attempt to surprise the
+Indian camp failed, there was no telling when Mr. Wentworth's boys
+would be heard of again. If it suited their captors to spare their
+lives, they would doubtless be sold to some band who lived at a great
+distance from the agency, and who would take the greatest pains to keep
+their existence a profound secret. If they were ever given up at all, it
+would only be after that particular band had been soundly thrashed for
+some outrage, and then they would be brought forward as an element in
+the "peace negotiations," their captors demanding a heavy ransom and
+taking great credit to themselves for surrendering them. But this might
+not happen for years, and during that time a great many things might
+happen to the boys. They might become so completely broken down by cruel
+treatment that their death would be a blessing, or else so thoroughly
+infatuated with the Indian mode of life that, if left to themselves,
+they would choose to go back to the wigwams of their savage masters
+rather than return to the home of their father.
+
+"It's now or never," said Bob to himself after he had thought the matter
+over. "I don't wonder that Mr. Wentworth feels so spiteful, for if these
+Indians are not killed during this scout, they will never be punished
+for what they have done to him. The government is too tender-hearted to
+touch them, and if Mr. Wentworth takes the law into his own hands, he
+will be sure to suffer for it. They will go back to their agency to grow
+fat on government grub and be kept warm in winter by government
+blankets; and their agent, in order to prevent an investigation that
+might take a few dollars out of his pocket, will be ready to swear that
+they have never been off their reservation. I wonder how he would feel
+if he saw his own children carried into captivity?"
+
+For two long hours the weary troopers continued the march, stopping for
+rest only when Bob and George climbed some sandhill to reconnoitre the
+ground before them. The deep silence that brooded over the Staked Plains
+was almost oppressive. The bare feet of the troopers gave out no sound
+as they sank into the yielding sand, and all that could be heard was
+their labored breathing as they walked behind their leader, trusting
+implicitly to his guidance. They never uttered a word, but Bob's
+impatience and nervousness would have kept his tongue in constant motion
+had it not been for George, who gave him an energetic prod in the ribs
+whenever he showed a disposition to become colloquial. He felt that he
+must do something pretty soon or sink under his burden of
+responsibility, which seemed to grow heavier the longer he walked;
+consequently, when George stopped all of a sudden and silently pointed
+his finger at a dense wall of trees that ran across their path, his
+delight knew no bounds. The ravine in which the Indians were encamped
+was close in front of them. The murmuring of the waterfall which came up
+from its wooded depths was a pleasant sound to his ears, but he and his
+troopers had much to do before they could quench their thirst at that
+rippling stream.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+HE WINS IT FAIRLY.
+
+
+As it was not necessary to waste any precious time in giving verbal
+orders, a complete code of signals having been decided upon before they
+left their horses, George at once threw himself upon his hands and
+knees, and worked his way along the edge of the bluff until he reached a
+position directly above the camp, the location of which was pointed out
+by a little blaze, scarcely larger, apparently, than the flame of a
+candle. He looked in vain for the sentry, and would have given something
+handsome if there had been some one at hand to tell him just where he
+was.
+
+"If he still holds his position on the top of that sandhill, we are all
+right," said George to himself, "but if he has taken the alarm, we are
+all wrong. In that case the Indians have done one of two things: they
+have either made ready to ambush us, or else they have fled, taking
+their prisoners with them. Well, we shall soon know, for here goes for
+the fight that none of us may ever come out of alive."
+
+As these thoughts passed through George's mind he seized Bob's
+waist-belt and gave it two jerks, which meant "Follow me." Then he crept
+back along the line, and as he passed each trooper he took him by the
+arm and pulled him around, so that his head pointed toward the
+camp-fire. This meant a movement by the right flank. After this he and
+Bob placed themselves in the centre of the line, the men giving way
+right and left to make room for them, and at a given signal Bob stuck
+his elbow into the ribs of the trooper to the left of him, while George
+in a similar manner admonished the one on the right of himself; and the
+advance began, the guide being centre. We mean by this that the men on
+Bob's left kept themselves in their proper place in line by touching the
+shoulder of the man next on their right, while those on George's right
+hand kept within easy reach of the men next on their left, each member
+of the line moving no whit slower or faster than the guides in the
+centre, Bob and George. If _they_ stopped and listened and tried to
+peer through the bushes in front of them to obtain a view of the camp,
+the whole line stopped and listened and peered. When the guides advanced
+the troopers did the same, their movements being conducted without a
+whisper, and with such extreme caution that scarcely a leaf was heard to
+rustle. It took them almost an hour to descend the bluff, which was
+probably not more than a hundred feet in height, but the sight that
+greeted them when the final halt was made more than repaid them for all
+their toil. They had crept up within less than a dozen yards of the
+fire, and the camp and all its inmates were in plain view of them.
+
+Their first care was to find the boys, and the next to ascertain the
+number and position of their adversaries. The boys were there, lying
+side by side on a bed of leaves, with their arms thrown around each
+other, and wrapped in slumber as peaceful, apparently, as ever came to
+their eyes while they were safe under their father's roof. Every one of
+the troopers shut his lips tightly at the sight of them, and half a
+dozen cocked carbines were pointed over their unconscious heads, ready
+to send to kingdom-come the first thing in the shape of a Kiowa that
+dared approach them. They were not protected in any way from the night
+air save by the branches of the trees which waved gently above them,
+while every one of the four Indians who were lying around them was
+wrapped up head and ears in a quilt or blanket which he had stolen
+during the raid.
+
+One sweeping glance was enough to enable Bob and George to take in all
+these little details, and it is scarcely necessary to say that they were
+highly elated over the promise of success which the situation seemed to
+hold out to them. Bob would have been a little better satisfied if he
+could have seen any way of taking the Indians alive, and so making a
+"finished job of it," as he afterward told his friend George; but,
+knowing that this was entirely beyond his power, he was about to give
+the signal to advance when a most unexpected interruption occurred. They
+heard the snapping of twigs behind them, accompanied by a slight
+rustling among the leaves, such as might be made by some heavy body
+working its way cautiously through the thick undergrowth. The astonished
+troopers hugged the ground closely, holding their breath in suspense;
+and in a second more, without a single footstep being audible, the
+bushes parted and the form of an Indian warrior could be dimly seen
+through the darkness.
+
+"Beyond a doubt it is the sentry coming in to call his relief," thought
+Bob. "_Now_, how am I going to act? Shall I let him go into the camp, or
+not?"
+
+Without pausing an instant, the Indian, all unconscious of danger,
+approached the line, and might have passed through it between Bob and
+Carey without discovering anything to excite his suspicions, had not the
+former, acting upon the impulse of the moment, made up his mind that he
+would not go back to his comrades without at least one prisoner to
+reward him for his long and tiresome scout. Throwing out his arm, he
+caught the warrior around the legs and lifting him from the ground threw
+him upon his back. He fell across Carey and Loring, both of whom turned
+like lightning and seized him, one trying to secure his arms, so that he
+could not draw a weapon, and the other taking him by the throat.
+Everything was done quickly, but not quickly enough to shut off the wild
+yell with which the captive Indian awoke the echoes of the gully. Seeing
+that all further attempts at concealment were useless, Bob and George
+jumped to their feet.
+
+"Forward with a cheer!" yelled the former. "Cover the boys, everybody."
+
+This last order was hardly necessary, for each individual member of the
+squad had secretly resolved to do that very thing, leaving his
+companions to act as they pleased.
+
+The Indians were wide awake and moving before their unlucky comrade's
+yell had fairly left his lips. So quickly did they spring to their feet
+that the troopers might have thought, if they had been allowed time to
+think at all, that the savages had been merely keeping up an appearance
+of sleep, so as to be ready to jump from their blankets at the very
+first note of alarm. So well schooled were they, and so ready to act,
+and to act quickly and intelligently in any emergency, that they did not
+hesitate an instant. They did not even look to see from which way the
+danger that threatened them was coming, but made a simultaneous rush for
+their captives, intending, no doubt, to carry them away if they could,
+or to kill them if they found themselves surrounded so that they could
+not escape. But no Indian's hand touched those boys again that night.
+Three of them fell dead before they had fairly left their tracks, and
+the other, taking warning by their fate, dived into the bushes in much
+the same way that a boy takes a "header" from a log, and got safely off,
+in spite of the bullets which whistled about his ears and scattered the
+leaves all over him. The troopers knew that he had got off unhurt,
+because there was no blood on the trail which George took up the next
+morning and followed to the place where the Indians had left their
+horses--a little glade about a quarter of a mile from the camp in which
+grass was abundant and water easy of access.
+
+George at once made his way to the side of the captives, who were
+sitting up on their bed of leaves, rubbing their eyes and looking about
+in a bewildered sort of way, and throwing his arm around them spoke
+soothing and encouraging words in their ears; while Bob, after ordering
+one of his men to mend the fire, seized a brand from it and ran back to
+see what had become of Carey and Loring. The fight was over, and Carey
+was growling lustily over a wound in his arm which the slippery savage
+had inflicted upon him, having managed in some mysterious way to gain
+momentary possession of his knife; but Loring was unharmed and the
+Indian was insensible. He had been knocked out of time by a vicious
+whack from the butt of a carbine held in the hands of the enraged Carey.
+The blow was not, however, as effective as the trooper intended it
+should be, for it had expended a good deal of its power upon the bushes
+which happened to be in the way, and instead of sending the Indian out
+of the world altogether, it had only stunned him. He was powerless now.
+His hands were securely confined by Loring's carbine-sling, and the
+latter, having passed the Indian's blanket under his arms and brought
+the ends together behind his back, was ready to drag his captive into
+camp.
+
+"I am no slouch--there isn't a boy in the troop, young or old, who can
+take my measure on the ground--but if this fellow gave us a fair
+specimen of an Indian's way of rough-and-tumble fighting, I don't want
+to get hold of any more Indians.--He was a hard one, wasn't he?" said
+Loring, appealing to his wounded comrade, who grunted out an emphatic
+assent. "He didn't seem to be so very strong, but he was just a trifle
+quicker than chain-lightning, and as slippery and wiry as--as--Why, an
+eel isn't nowhere alongside of him."
+
+"I wish I had whacked him over the head before he gave me this prod,"
+said Carey, shaking his fist at the unconscious object of his wrath.
+"It's my sword-arm too, and I'll just bet that the doctor won't let me
+go on another scout for a month."
+
+With Bob's aid the Indian was dragged into camp, and thrown down there
+as if he had been a sack of corn. The fire was burning brightly (an
+Indian builds a small fire and gets close to it, while a white man
+builds a big one and backs away from it), the bodies of the slain
+warriors had been dragged into the bushes out of sight, and their
+weapons, saddles and bridles, which the troopers intended to carry back
+to the fort with them as trophies of their prowess, had been collected
+and deposited in a safe place.
+
+George had been devoting himself to the boys, who did not seem to be at
+all afraid, and were by no means so excited as he was. Their astonishing
+courage called forth the unbounded admiration of the troopers, and the
+pert answers they gave to the questions that were asked them made them
+smile.
+
+"Say, Bob, if you want to see what Texas boys are made of, come here,"
+said George. "The older one answers to the name of Sheldon, and the
+little fellow is Tommy. Sheldon says that if his brother had been a
+little older and stronger the Indians never would have taken them to
+their village, for they would have killed them and made their escape."
+
+"Humph!" grunted Carey, whose wound seemed to put him in very bad humor.
+
+"What makes you say that?" demanded Bob, turning upon him somewhat
+sharply. "Don't you know that such things have been done before now?"
+
+"By boys?" asked Carey.
+
+"Yes, by boys," replied Bob.
+
+"No, I don't know it," said the wounded trooper.
+
+"It's a matter of history, any way," said George. "Two brothers, John
+and Henry Johnson, aged respectively thirteen and eleven years of age,
+were captured by two Delaware Indians on Short Creek, West Virginia, in
+October, 1788. That very night they killed their captors by shooting one
+and tomahawking the other."
+
+"Did they get away?" asked Sheldon eagerly.
+
+"Yes, sir, they got away. Now, I want to ask you a few questions--and,
+Bob, I want you to pay attention to his replies.--Where have you been to
+get so much mud on your boots?"
+
+"Why, back there in the plains we came to a little bayou, and the banks
+of it was all muddy; and the Injins they pulled us off the ponies and
+made us walk into all that there mud, and then they laughed at us
+because we didn't like it," answered the boy; and his ludicrous display
+of rage over the indignity that had been put upon himself and his
+brother made the troopers smile again.
+
+"Go on," said George. "What did you do next?"
+
+"Well, they took us out of the mud after a while, the Injins did, and
+then one of 'em he took us on a pony and rode off by himself until he
+found this party; and we've been with them ever since."
+
+"What did I tell you?" exclaimed George, hitting Bob a back-handed slap
+on the chest. "What do you think of my guessing now?"
+
+"I think you are pretty good at it," answered Bob. "And seeing you
+_are_, I wish you would try your hand in a new line. Suppose you take a
+couple of men with you, and all our canteens and coffee-pots, and guess
+your way down the bluff to the stream, and bring us back a supply of
+water? We'll have a good fire going by the time you return, and then
+we'll boil a cup of coffee."
+
+"I'll do it," said George readily.
+
+"And while you are guessing, guess at the probable movements of that
+Indian who got away," continued Bob. "Will he be likely to trouble us
+to-night?"
+
+"He will not," was the confident reply. "Our party is too large. He will
+make the best of his way home, you may depend upon it."
+
+While George and the two troopers whom Bob detailed to accompany him
+were gone after the water, those who remained in camp were not idle. One
+bound up Carey's wounded arm, another brought in a bountiful supply of
+fire-wood, others stood guard, and one assisted the corporal in
+collecting a quantity of leaves and light branches, and went out with
+him to signal to the four men who had been left behind with the horses.
+They readily found the hill which had served as a lookout-station for
+the warrior who was now a captive in their hands; and they knew it when
+they found it, for there was the pile of bushes through which he had
+looked while watching the trail, and the print of his body in the sand.
+A fire was speedily lighted on the summit, and kept burning brightly to
+guide the absent troopers to the captured camp. That little beacon
+shining through the darkness must have been a welcome sight to their
+eyes, for it told of the complete success of their companions and of the
+rest and water that were to be found where they were.
+
+When George returned to the camp after nearly half an hour's absence he
+found the fire blazing cheerily, and the two rescued boys, who seemed
+almost exhausted by their long journey, sleeping soundly beside it,
+covered by a quilt which some kind-hearted trooper had thrown over their
+shoulders. The troopers were laughing heartily but silently at Carey and
+Loring, who seemed to bear their merriment with very bad grace.
+
+"What's the matter now?" inquired George as he distributed the canteens
+among them and placed the coffee-pots beside the fire.
+
+"Come here and see for yourself," replied Loring, taking George by the
+arm and leading him to the place where the captive Indian lay, all the
+troopers following at his heels.
+
+"Me good Injun," grunted the prisoner, who seemed to have recovered his
+senses.
+
+"So I perceive," replied George. "Good Indians steal stock and carry off
+white boys, don't they?--But I don't see anything about him to laugh
+at."
+
+"Why, he's nothing but a kid," exclaimed Phillips, "and yet Carey and
+Loring are both willing to confess that it was all they could do to
+handle him. They told us a wonderful story about the terrible fight they
+had before they could tie him, and so we took a look at him, expecting
+to find him a giant; but instead of that--Well, you can see that he's
+only a papoose."
+
+George looked down at the boyish face and slender figure of the young
+warrior, then at the two grizzly old veterans who had fought so hard to
+capture him, and felt more than half inclined to laugh himself. Either
+one of them could have strangled him with a finger and a thumb if he
+could have got hold of him; but getting a good hold was the trouble. An
+Indian makes up in suppleness and activity what he lacks in strength,
+and it takes a good man to handle one. Of course the troopers were sorry
+for their wounded comrade, but they had "got a joke" on him, and it was
+a long time before he heard the last of it.
+
+The men who had been left to take care of the horses arrived in about an
+hour, and then George had another disagreeable task to perform, which
+was to pilot the animals down to the water and find a feeding-ground for
+them. Being entirely unacquainted with the gully and surrounding
+country, it took him a long time to do this; but he accomplished it at
+last, in spite of the darkness, and about one o'clock in the morning he
+was at liberty to go to his blanket.
+
+The troopers slept later than usual the next morning, for they were all
+tired out; but Bob's loud call of "Catch up!" brought them to their feet
+before the sun had risen high enough to send any of his rays into the
+camp. As there was a good deal to be done and but little time to do it
+in, four details were made, and certain duties assigned to each. The
+first, which consisted solely of Loring, was ordered to dish up a cup of
+coffee in a little less than no time; George and Phillips were
+instructed to follow up the trail of the missing Indian and see where it
+led to; Bob and a companion bent their steps toward the sandhill to
+ascertain the whereabouts of the main body of the expedition; and the
+others brought in the horses and gave them the grain that was left in
+the saddle-pockets.
+
+Before ascending the hill Bob and his companion gathered each an armful
+of dry grass and weeds. These were deposited upon the highest part of
+the hill and lighted by a match which Bob struck on his coat-sleeve. As
+soon as the blaze was fairly started, but before the whole pile was
+ignited, Bob smothered it by throwing on more grass and weeds; and when
+this was done a column of smoke that could be seen at the distance of
+fifty miles began to rise in the air.
+
+"Now let me see," said Bob, pulling out the paper which Captain Clinton
+had copied from his note-book when he started him on the trail. "I want
+to say, 'Where are you, captain?' and how shall I say it?"
+
+He ran his eye down the page and finally found these instructions:
+
+"A detached party desiring to ascertain the position of the main body
+will signal as follows: A long smoke of a minute's duration; three short
+smokes, followed by half a minute's interval; two short smokes, with
+half a minute's interval; one short smoke, followed immediately by a
+long one. If the signal is observed, the reply will be the same. If no
+reply is received in five minutes, repeat from some other and, if
+possible, higher point, and so continue until an answering signal is
+seen."
+
+As the reader may not quite understand this, we will tell just how Bob
+made the signal. He allowed the column of smoke to ascend just one
+minute by his watch, then took a blanket from his shoulder and with a
+quick movement threw it over the smoldering pile, holding two of the
+corners tight to the ground, while his companion held the opposite
+corners. This, of course, confined the smoke so that no more arose. At
+the end of half a minute he raised the blanket three times in quick
+succession, and three balloon-shaped clouds floated off over the
+sandhills. Waiting half a minute, he lifted the blanket twice, and two
+more little clouds arose. At the end of another half a minute he
+permitted a single cloud to escape, and then threw the blanket off
+altogether; whereupon a long, slender column, like the one that arose
+when the fire was first started, shot up into the air. Then Bob seated
+himself on the ground and waited rather anxiously for a reply; but he
+was not obliged to wait long. Before the five minutes had elapsed an
+answering smoke was seen; and though it was a long distance off, the
+atmosphere was so clear, and the white clouds showed so plainly against
+the blue sky, that the signal could be plainly read. It was the same as
+the one Bob had just sent up, and so he knew that it was intended for
+him.
+
+This mode of signalling, which is usually called "telegraphing by
+smokes," is in general use among the Plains Indians, and it was from
+them that our army-officers serving on the border caught the idea. Of
+course they have a system of their own, which is very different from
+that of the Indians. The latter cannot read an army-signal, and neither
+can the officers, with all their striving and scheming, gain a key that
+will enable them to read the Indian code. It is as much of a mystery as
+the manner in which a chief conducts a drill of his warriors or controls
+them in battle without appearing to hold any communication with them.
+Both these secrets are closely guarded, the Indians considering that it
+would be "bad medicine" to reveal them to the white man.
+
+"Did you see the exact spot from which that smoke arose?" Bob asked of
+his companion.
+
+"Yes," answered the trooper.
+
+"Then fix it in your mind, so that you can point it out to George
+Ackerman. Now that our work is done we will go back to camp."
+
+Breakfast was soon despatched, and in less than half an hour the squad
+was again on the move, three of the troopers, in order to accommodate
+the rescued boys and the Indian captive, being obliged to "carry
+double." Their route lay along the edge of the bluff, within easy reach
+of water, only three halts being made--one for dinner, and two for the
+purpose of sending up signals to Captain Clinton. As his replies, which
+were promptly made, came from the same place, Bob became satisfied that
+the captain was waiting for him. Of course this caused much speculation
+among the troopers. Had the captain given up the pursuit, or had he
+overtaken and scattered the thieves and recovered Mr. Wentworth's stock?
+Bob was inclined to hold to the latter opinion.
+
+[Illustration: TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKE.]
+
+"The captain is a hard man to get away from when he once makes up his
+mind for business," said he; "and I just know that he's got those
+cattle, or the most of them. If he has, Mr. Wentworth is all right, for
+we have got his boys. If your theory is correct--and I begin to believe
+it is, for everything else has turned out just as you said it
+would--Lieutenant Earle will come out at the little end of the horn,
+won't he?"
+
+"Some officer almost always has to do that," answered George. "But the
+lieutenant will have some honor reflected upon him, if he doesn't win
+any for himself, for it was a portion of his own troop, commanded by one
+of his own non-commissioned officers, who rescued the boys."
+
+About two hours before sunset the troopers began to call one another's
+attention to the fact that the sandhills, among which they had been
+marching all day long, were growing less in number and height, and to
+congratulate themselves on drawing near to their journey's end. An hour
+later they came to the last hill, and as they were riding by it a sentry
+who had been stationed there presented himself to their view.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+"THREE CHEERS FOR THE 'BRINDLES'!"
+
+
+"Hallo, Buel!" exclaimed Bob, recognizing in the sentry one of his own
+company boys, "you'll let us in, won't you?"
+
+"Well, I _am_ beat!" replied the man. "Corporal, you're a brick. Three
+cheers for the 'Brindles'!"
+
+He stood in the "position of a soldier," with his carbine at a "carry,"
+and spoke in a low tone, for he knew that there were officers with
+field-glasses not far away, and that he had no business to exchange
+compliments with anybody after this fashion while he was on post. But
+when he saw the captive Indian and Mr. Wentworth's boys he could not
+restrain himself.
+
+"Bob, the boys ought to give you a benefit," he added.
+
+"We've got something to show for this scout, even if we are 'Brindles,'
+haven't we?" said the corporal, holding himself very stiffly in his
+saddle and looking straight before him, so as not to 'give the sentry
+away.' "Have you beaten us any?"
+
+"Not by a great sight."
+
+"What have you done, anyway?"
+
+"We've got the most of the stock back, but nary red. Where's Lieutenant
+Earle?"
+
+"Haven't seen him," answered Bob.
+
+"We haven't seen him either, nor have we heard from him since that
+courier arrived."
+
+The troopers now found themselves on the border of a wide plain, whose
+opposite side was bounded by a long line of willows, which fringed the
+banks of a water-course. On the edge of the willows were gathered the
+members of the main body, who, having been apprised by their sentinels
+of the approach of Bob and his party, had assembled to see them come in.
+Bob began to grow excited at once. He and his men had performed no
+ordinary exploit, and so impatient was he to have his success known to
+his comrades that he could not wait until he reached the camp to tell
+his story.
+
+"You fellows who carry double, ride out there and square yourselves
+around, so that they can see that we have not returned empty-handed,"
+commanded Bob, who forthwith proceeded to execute his own order by
+placing the three men who "carried double" one behind the other,
+broadside to the camp, so that the officers with their field-glasses
+could observe that each horse had two riders on his back. "I declare I
+feel like one of those old Roman conquerors--on a small scale; but in
+order to carry out the role I ought to make one end of a lariat fast to
+that Indian's neck and drag him into the camp, oughtn't I? That's the
+way the Romans used to do with their captives, only they chained them to
+their chariot-wheels. There you are!--Swing your caps, you kids, and
+holler, to let your father know you are here."
+
+The boys obeyed with alacrity, swinging their caps around their heads
+and laughing and shouting by turns, while the two soldiers behind whom
+they rode raised their own caps on the muzzles of their carbines and
+joined in with a wild soldier yell. George Ackerman kept watch of the
+camp through his glass to note the movements of its inmates and make
+reports of the manner in which this demonstration was received by them.
+
+"There's the captain," said he. "He is coming out in front of the men,
+in company with some of the officers. Now they are all looking at us
+through their glasses. Now the captain has taken down his glass and is
+saying something. Here they come!"
+
+It was evident that the captain had reported the result of his
+observations, for as George uttered these last words and lowered his
+glass the men broke into a run and dashed across the plain, raising
+their charging-yell as they came.
+
+"You fellows who carry double, take the post of honor," commanded Bob;
+"ride at the head of the squad.--Say, boys," he added, facing about in
+his saddle and speaking to the men behind him, "look out for Wentworth.
+There was a look in his eye the last time I saw him that I didn't at all
+like, and when he finds out that we have captured one of the Indians, he
+may--"
+
+"There he comes now!" exclaimed one of the troopers.
+
+Bob looked toward the camp, and saw that his man had not been mistaken.
+Behind the troopers, who were still running forward to meet their
+returning comrades, but rapidly overhauling them with every jump of his
+horse, was the father of the rescued boys. He rode without saddle,
+bridle or hat, his long hair was streaming straight out behind him, he
+carried in his hand the rifle with which he had done such deadly work
+while he was defending his home, and he was constantly digging his heels
+into the sides of his horse, as if he were trying to make him go faster.
+The man could have but one object in view: that was Bob's opinion, and
+it must have been Captain Clinton's opinion too, judging by his actions.
+The latter had raised both hands to his face and stood with his head
+thrown back, as if he were shouting out some orders; but if he gave any
+they were drowned in the lusty cheers of the approaching troopers, who
+ran as if they were engaged in a foot-race.
+
+"That man certainly means mischief," said George.
+
+"I am sure of it," replied the corporal. "But I should act in just the
+same way if I were in his place. I'd put an end to that Indian in spite
+of all the soldiers that ever wore the 'honored blue;' but that, I know,
+would be very wrong, for this red imp is one of the government wards,
+and nobody must presume to lay an ugly hand on him."
+
+"What would be done with Mr. Wentworth if he should shoot your
+prisoner?" asked George.
+
+"'What would be done with him?'" repeated Bob, bitterly. "Why, he would
+be put in arrest before he could say 'Jerusalem!' and the agent of the
+Kiowas would insist on his being tried for murder, notwithstanding the
+fact that this same Indian was one of the party that burned Mr.
+Wentworth's house and carried his children into captivity. Why, George,
+unless you are posted you have no idea--But I will tell you a short
+story by and by. Just now I must attend to our friend Mr. Wentworth.
+Stand by me, for I believe I shall need a helping hand before I get
+through with him."
+
+While this conversation was going on Bob had kept a watchful eye upon
+the movements of Mr. Wentworth, who had by this time passed the troopers
+and was guiding his horse so as to come up on the left flank of Bob's
+squad. As soon as the latter became satisfied that this was the man's
+intention, he rode out of the line and placed himself beside the captive
+Indian, who was riding on Loring's horse and was by no means an
+uninterested spectator of what passed before him. He too was keeping his
+gaze directed toward Mr. Wentworth, whom he doubtless recognized.
+
+"White man very angry--heap mad--as mad, in fact, as a wet hen," said
+Bob, trying to imitate an Indian's way of talking, but making a sad mess
+of it in his excitement. "He's mad at you for carrying his boys off, and
+he's going to shoot you dead--heap dead--as dead as a door-nail; and
+he'll serve you just right, too."
+
+"I hope he won't miss the red and hit me," said Loring.
+
+"You needn't be afraid of that, for these Texans are all good shots,"
+answered Bob; adding in a lower tone, "I'll just tell you what's a fact,
+Loring: I wouldn't interfere with him if I could help it."
+
+The young savage understood what Bob said, but not a muscle of his face
+changed. If he had been an old warrior, he would probably have begun his
+death-chant; but having performed no deeds of which he could boast, he
+remained silent and calmly awaited the fate that would have been
+inevitable had it not been for George Ackerman's skill in horsemanship.
+
+The animal on which Mr. Wentworth was mounted was evidently accustomed
+to being ridden without a bridle, for his master guided him with the
+greatest ease. When he had almost reached the squad he suddenly swerved
+from his course, in obedience to a signal conveyed to him by a quick
+movement of his rider's body, and galloping swiftly around the head of
+the line stopped short on the other flank. By this unexpected change of
+tactics the enraged father had gained a position on the unguarded side
+of the prisoner, and if he had acted as soon as his horse came to a
+standstill he would have accomplished his purpose in spite of
+everything; but he could not resist the temptation to talk for just a
+moment, and that moment's delay defeated him. Cocking his rifle with
+great deliberation, he said fiercely,
+
+"You have eaten salt in my house, you have slept by my fire, you have
+drunk from my spring when you were thirsty, you Indian dog, and now--"
+
+When the man had gone thus far rage choked his utterance, and he could
+not say another word. He drew his rifle to his shoulder, but the muzzle,
+instead of covering the head of the Indian, covered the person of George
+Ackerman, who was coming toward him with all the speed his horse could
+put forth.
+
+The boy had sprung into life and activity the instant he witnessed Mr.
+Wentworth's cunning manoeuvre, for he knew what it meant. Giving a pull
+at his left rein, at the same time touching his horse lightly with the
+spurs, the animal wheeled like a flash on his hind feet, and, dashing
+through the line behind Bob Owens (some of the troopers afterward
+declared that he jumped clear over Bob's horse), brought his rider to
+the right side of the Indian just in time to intercept the deadly aim.
+In another second George had seized the rifle with both hands, and a
+terrific struggle began between him and Mr. Wentworth for the possession
+of the weapon. In less time than it takes to tell it the man, having no
+stirrups to support him, was jerked off his horse, and before he could
+recover himself and plant his feet firmly on the ground the rifle was
+twisted out of his grasp, and the bullet contained in the chamber was
+sent whistling harmlessly off over the sandhills.
+
+"No more of that!" exclaimed Bob, who rode up just half a minute too
+late to be of any assistance. "Keep quiet now, or you'll go back to camp
+with a guard over you."
+
+"Mr. Wentworth," said George, bending down from his saddle and laying
+his hand upon the angry man's shoulder, "your good sense must tell you
+that the corporal can't stand peaceably by and see his prisoner shot.
+What are you thinking of?"
+
+"Give me that gun," panted Mr. Wentworth, who was white to the lips and
+trembling in every limb. "I'll--I'll--"
+
+"You'll do nothing but behave yourself," interrupted Bob. "You can't
+have that rifle again until Captain Clinton says so, for you don't know
+how to act when you have it in your hands; you point it around too loose
+and reckless. Haven't you something besides revenge to think of now?
+Can't you see that we have brought your boys back to you safe and
+sound?"
+
+The man's face softened at once. Tears came to his eyes, and darting
+quickly around Bob's horse he ran up to his children, and, pulling them
+both to the ground at once, folded them in his arms. But we will not say
+any more about that meeting, will we? The joy of a family reunited under
+circumstances like these is something too sacred to be intruded upon
+even by a sympathizing pen, isn't it? Even the troopers, some of whom
+had witnessed many an affecting scene, could not stand it, but turned
+away their heads and drew their hands hastily across their eyes, as if
+to brush away something that seemed to be obscuring their vision. One of
+them caught Mr. Wentworth's horse, and after the latter had mounted and
+taken his boys up with him, one in front and the other behind, the squad
+continued its march toward the camp.
+
+When Bob came to look in front of him, he found that the appearance of
+things had changed somewhat. The comrades who had started out to meet
+him were no longer advancing in a compact body. They had halted and
+drawn themselves up in two parallel lines, facing each other, and
+leaving room enough between them for Bob and his squad to pass through.
+
+"Hallo!" exclaimed the delighted corporal. "The boys have got up a
+reception for us, and we must meet it in good shape.--Attention, squad!
+Draw sabres!--Loring, ride on ahead with Mr. Wentworth.--George, come up
+on my right."
+
+When these orders were issued the men promptly fell into line,
+conversation ceased on the instant, tobacco was knocked out of pipes
+that had but just been filled, carbines were adjusted in
+soldier-fashion, caps that had been worn with the peak behind were
+turned right side in front, and twelve bright blades leaped from their
+scabbards. In this order the successful troopers rode by their comrades,
+who cheered them loudly, and then fell in behind and followed them into
+camp, marching in column of fours. Bob at once rode up to Captain
+Clinton's fire, and dismounted to make his report, which he did in this
+way:
+
+"I have the honor, sir, to report that we surprised five Indians in camp
+last night, captured one, killed three and released Mr. Wentworth's
+boys."
+
+"Good for you, corporal!" exclaimed the captain, his astonishment
+getting the better of him for the moment. "Anybody hurt on your side?"
+
+"One wounded, sir. Private Carey received a knife-thrust in the right
+arm while assisting Private Loring to capture the Indian."
+
+"Very good," said the captain, resuming his official tones and dignity
+at the same time. "Stake out your horses, and then come back here. I
+want to hear all the particulars. What was the cause of that disturbance
+out there on the plain?"
+
+"I was the cause of it, cap, you bet," exclaimed Mr. Wentworth, whose
+face did not look much as it did when he galloped out to meet Bob and
+his squad. Then it was disturbed with passion; now it was beaming with
+joy. "I'd ha' sent that Injin to the happy land o' Canaan in a little
+less than the shake of a buck's tail if Ackerman hadn't stopped me, you
+bet."
+
+"It was a good thing for you that he did stop you," said the captain
+quietly. "You would have brought yourself into serious trouble by such a
+proceeding."
+
+"I know that," said Mr. Wentworth, "but who cares for trouble when his
+dander's up? Say, cap, may I have my rifle? Ackerman took it away from
+me."
+
+"You may have it on condition that you will make no more attempts on the
+life of this prisoner," replied the captain. "There is a law to deal
+with such fellows as he is."
+
+"Where in the world is it, I'd like to know?" exclaimed Mr. Wentworth
+fiercely. "It hasn't got out here to Texas yet. If I had shot him, as I
+meant to do, you would have had a guard over me in no time; but he came
+with a band of his friends and set fire to my house, and carried off my
+little boys, and killed my herdsmen, and drove off my stock; and you,
+knowing it all, stand here, with your hundred and twenty blue-coats,
+and tell me that I must not touch him. Your colonel will give him up
+when his agent makes a demand for him, and he'll go back to his
+reservation, and the government will feed him on good food and give him
+good clothes, and some rascally trader will sell him more powder and
+balls to kill white folks with; but if _I_--Dog-gone my
+buttons!--Ackerman, give me that rifle."
+
+It was plain that Mr. Wentworth's "dander" was still "up"--'way up. The
+listening troopers exchanged glances of approval with one another, and
+would have cheered him if they had dared. Being a civilian, the man was
+at liberty to talk pretty much as he pleased; but if one of their own
+number had made such an exhibition of temper in the presence of an
+officer, he would have been punished for it.
+
+"We will not discuss that matter," said the captain calmly. "I know my
+business and attend to it strictly, leaving the agents to look out for
+their own affairs. They are not responsible to me, or to you either, for
+the manner in which they do the work entrusted to them."
+
+"All right, cap," said Mr. Wentworth, picking up one of his boys and
+then lowering him carefully to the ground. "Mum is the word, if you say
+so. But I haven't heard you tell Ackerman to give me that rifle yet."
+
+"Neither have I heard you make that promise," was the reply.
+
+"Well, I'll make it, but I tell you I hate to, mightily."
+
+The captain smiled, and nodded to George, who rode up and handed over
+the Winchester.
+
+"She's a good one, cap, and when she speaks she means business--_she_
+does," said Mr. Wentworth, holding the recovered weapon off at arm's
+length and gazing at it with admiring eyes. "She is sure death on
+Kiowas, for she knows I have got something ag'inst them. She rubbed out
+ten of 'em during the last fight she was in, and she'll spoil the good
+looks of many more of them before I hand her over to my oldest boy for
+good.--Put her on your shoulder, Sheldon, and come on."
+
+Lifting his youngest child in his arms, Mr. Wentworth walked away,
+Sheldon marching proudly by his side with the rifle on his shoulder, and
+the horse following quietly at his heels. Then Bob and George rode away
+with the squad, the troopers gradually dispersed, and the captain and
+his officers went back to the blankets on which they had been dozing
+away the time while waiting for Corporal Owens.
+
+If it had not been for the fact that he had nearly a thousand head of
+recaptured stock on his hands, the captain would have set out for the
+fort at once; but it is almost impossible to drive Texas cattle during
+the night, for they are about half wild, anyway, and as easily stampeded
+as a herd of buffaloes. Under favorable circumstances two men who
+understand their business can take care of a herd of five hundred of
+them; but this stock which the captain had just recovered from the
+Indians had grown so unmanageable during the short time they had been in
+the possession of the raiders, who had pushed them ahead night and day
+at their greatest speed, that it took thirty well-mounted troopers to
+keep them within bounds. If they became quieted down during the night,
+the captain intended to set out for the fort with the main body of his
+men early the next morning, leaving a few of his troopers to assist Mr.
+Wentworth to drive the cattle in.
+
+"I say, corporal," exclaimed Carey as Bob led his squad away, "where
+does Wentworth hang out? What mess does he grub with?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Bob. "I saw him going toward the other end of
+the camp."
+
+"Now, such work as that won't do," continued Carey. "He'll go up there
+among those high-toned Grays or Blacks, and they will honey around those
+boys of his and make much of them, and cut us Brindles completely out of
+their good graces. They belong to us, and they ought to stay with us;
+don't you say so?"
+
+Bob replied that he did say so.
+
+"Can't we bring them into our mess?" asked Carey.
+
+"You can try. I'll take care of your horse if you want to make the
+attempt."
+
+Carey at once dismounted, and started back toward the upper end of the
+camp, and Bob rode on to find the place where his troop had staked out
+their horses. While he is looking for it we will explain what the words
+"Grays," "Blacks" and "Brindles," as used by Private Carey, meant.
+
+One of the first things to be done in a new regiment of cavalry, or in
+an old one that has just been remounted, is to "color the horses." We
+mean by this that the animals are divided into lots according to their
+color, the blacks being placed in one lot, the grays in another, the
+whites in another, and so on. After these divisions are made there are
+always some "off" horses, such as roans and browns, which are put into a
+lot by themselves and called the "brindles." The ranking captain then
+makes his choice of the colors. For the sake of illustration, we will
+suppose that he prefers to have his company mounted on black horses. He
+first takes the finest animal in the lot for his own use, his first
+lieutenant comes next, the second lieutenant next, the first sergeant
+next, and so on down through all the sergeants and corporals, each one
+selecting according to his rank. Then those of the privates who have
+proved themselves to be the best soldiers are called up one by one, and
+after they have made their selections the shirks and grumblers, like
+Bristow and Gus Robbins, have to take those that are left.
+
+The captain who is second in command makes the next choice of colors,
+and his horses are distributed in the same way. The whites are generally
+chosen next to the last, not because they are not as good or as handsome
+as the others, but for the reason that it is harder work for the men to
+keep them clean, and in action they present conspicuous marks for the
+rifles of the enemy. "The brindles," the horses of all colors and of no
+color at all to speak of, are the only ones left, and the lowest company
+commander must take them because he has no choice. He does not like
+them, and neither do his men, because the troop that is doomed to ride
+them cannot make so fine appearance on dress-parade as the others do,
+and for the reason that the Brindles are the butt of all the jokes that
+old soldiers can play upon one another. When we have said that we have
+said a good deal, for if there is any mischief that a lot of veterans
+will not think of when they have a leisure hour on their hands, we don't
+know what it is.
+
+When the horses were "colored" at Fort Lamoine the brindles fell to the
+lot of Lieutenant Earle, as he was the lowest company commander, all the
+others being captains. This was the troop to which Bob Owens belonged,
+and, in common with its other members, he had suffered from the
+practical jokes that had been played upon him by the more fortunate
+troopers. But of late these jokes were not as frequent as they had
+formerly been, for the "Brindles" had proved themselves to be the best
+of soldiers. When their achievements were taken into consideration they
+led every troop in the garrison. They had gallantly borne their part in
+every duty they were called on to perform, their non-commissioned
+officers had invariably been successful when sent out in pursuit of
+deserters, and now one of them had done something for which the members
+of his regiment were glad to honor him in the way we have described.
+During the rest of Bob's life at Fort Lamoine but little was said about
+the despised Brindles; but if any trooper _did_ forget himself and make
+disparaging remarks concerning them or their "ringed, streaked and
+striped" horses, some listening Brindle would promptly interrupt him
+with--
+
+"Look here, Bub, we didn't enlist to show ourselves off on dress-parade.
+When you Blacks" (or Grays or Chestnuts, as the case might be, the
+offending trooper being designated by the color of the horses on which
+his company was mounted) "have followed an Indian trail across the
+Staked Plains, and been burned up by an August sun, and had your mouths
+and throats filled so full of sand that you couldn't tell the truth for
+a whole month, and have surprised a party of hostiles in their camp,
+and rescued two prisoners alive and unharmed,--when you have done all
+that, you can talk; until then hold your yawp. That feat has never been
+accomplished but once in the Department of Texas, and then it was
+accomplished by _our_ boys, the Brindles of the ----th Cavalry."
+
+Bob and his men were proud of that exploit, and, what was more, they did
+not mean to be robbed of any of the honor they had won. That was one
+reason why they wanted to bring Mr. Wentworth and his boys into their
+mess. They supposed they were going back to the fort with Captain
+Clinton's command, and they wanted to carry those boys through the gate
+themselves. But, as it happened, the captain had decided upon something
+else, and by that decision had unconsciously given Bob's lucky squad of
+Brindles an opportunity to add to their laurels. We shall see what use
+they made of it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+MORE BAD LUCK FOR MR. WENTWORTH.
+
+
+While Bob and his men were staking out their horses they were besieged
+by anxious Brindles who wanted to know just where they had been and what
+they had done during their absence. No incident connected with the
+experience of their successful comrades was deemed too trivial for their
+notice. Bob and the rest answered their questions as fast as they were
+able, and asked a good many in return. They learned that Captain Clinton
+had fallen in with the stolen cattle about one o'clock that morning, but
+the Indians they had hoped to find with them were not to be seen. The
+captain had pursued them so closely that they did not have time to drive
+the stock into the Staked Plains, to die there of thirst, and neither
+did they harass the column, as George said they would. Their force was
+too small to accomplish anything by it. The captain had spent all the
+forenoon in gathering up the stock, and it was now feeding on the
+prairie close by, guarded by a large squad of troopers.
+
+"I'll tell you what's a fact, boys," said one of the Brindles. "This
+raid must have been a big thing, for just after you left us we struck
+the trail of a large drove that joined ours, and a little farther on we
+found another. But they were both older than our own, so the scout said,
+and the drove we followed was left behind as a sort of bait for us to
+swallow, while the main herd was driven off."
+
+"Why didn't you go on after the main herd?" asked Bob.
+
+"It would have been of no use. It had too much of a start; and besides,
+we have already got just as much on our hands as we can attend to. We
+have been all day gathering up the cattle we have got, and it is just
+all we can do to hold fast to them. The fellows up there must attend to
+the rest."
+
+By "the fellows up there" the troopers meant to indicate the cavalry
+attached to the several posts north of the Staked Plains.
+
+When Bob went back to the captain's head-quarters, George, being a
+privileged character, went with him. The officer questioned them
+closely in regard to their movements, took copious notes to assist him
+in making out his report to the colonel, and by the time he got through
+he came to the conclusion that the two young men deserved especial
+mention for the skill and courage they had exhibited. He rewarded them
+on the spot by giving them more work to do--some that was not supposed
+to have any danger in it, but which, nevertheless, gave them an
+opportunity to show whether the success that had attended them during
+their last scout was owing to good luck or good management.
+
+"I am more than satisfied, because you have accomplished more than I
+expected of you," said the captain as he put his note-book into his
+pocket. "As you will probably have some hard riding to do to-morrow, I
+will see that you are allowed a good night's rest."
+
+"Are we going back to the fort in the morning, sir?" asked George.
+
+Although Bob was fully as anxious as his companion was to know what the
+captain meant by saying that he and his squad would probably have some
+hard riding to do the next day, he never would have dared to ask such a
+question; and if he had, the officer, if he had made any reply at all,
+would very likely have told him that he would find out all about it in
+due time. But he expressed no surprise at George's inquisitiveness.
+
+"_I_ am going back to fort," said he, "but you and the corporal will
+have to stay and help Mr. Wentworth with the cattle. You will be of more
+use to him, George, than half a dozen green hands, for you know how to
+drive stock and can act as instructor to the rest. You know where
+Holmes's ranche is, I suppose? Well, I shall want the corporal to stay
+with Mr. Wentworth until he gets there, and then you will have to guide
+the squad to the fort. If you should happen to meet any raiders on the
+way, why take them in," added the captain with a smile.--"Corporal, is
+Carey badly hurt?"
+
+"He grumbles a good deal, sir, but I think it is more from anger than
+pain."
+
+"Perhaps you had better take a man in his place and let him go to the
+fort with us, so that the doctor can look at his arm," said the captain.
+
+"I tell you there is nothing like having friends at court," said Bob as
+he and George walked away. "Until you came among us I didn't know that
+these officers could be so very friendly and good-natured. Why, George,
+if I knew the country as well as you do, and could get scout's pay, I
+would stay in the army all my life. We have got a sort of roving
+commission now, and I hope we can do something with it before we go back
+to the fort."
+
+Details for such duties as this which had just been assigned to Corporal
+Owens are about the only recreations that fall to the lot of a private
+soldier on the Plains, and they are eagerly sought after. Being almost
+always commanded by a sergeant or corporal who has proved to the
+satisfaction of his superiors that he can be trusted, the men never fail
+to enjoy themselves to the fullest extent. It is a great relief to them
+to be entirely out of reach of their Argus-eyed officers, who are so
+prompt to take them to task for the least neglect of duty.
+
+When they reached the place where the Brindles were encamped, they found
+that Carey had been successful in his mission. He had brought Mr.
+Wentworth and his boys back with him, and the troopers were crowded
+about them listening to Sheldon's account of his experience among the
+Kiowas.
+
+"Get all you can out of them, boys," exclaimed Bob, "for you will not
+see them after to-night."
+
+"Why won't we?" asked half a dozen troopers at once.
+
+"Because they are not going to the fort. They are going to Holmes's
+ranche, wherever that is, and we're going to see them safely there with
+the stock."
+
+"We? who?"
+
+"Our same old squad--all except Carey."
+
+The owner of that name, whose face had lighted up with pleasure, jumped
+to his feet with an angry exclamation. "What do you mean by that,
+corporal?" he demanded.
+
+"It's no fault of mine, Carey," replied Bob. "The captain thinks you had
+better go to the fort, so that the doctor can look at your wound."
+
+Carey made no reply, but elbowed his way through the crowd and started
+toward the other end of the camp. In a few minutes he was standing in
+front of Captain Clinton with his hand to his cap.
+
+"What is it, Carey?" asked that officer after he had returned the
+salute.
+
+"My respects to you, sir," answered the trooper, "and, if I might take
+the liberty, I'd like to know why I am to be left behind while the rest
+of our squad goes off on a picnic with them cattle?"
+
+"Why, you are wounded," said the captain.
+
+"Just a little scratch, sir," protested the trooper. "But even if I had
+no right arm at all, I could ride and shoot, and when it came to yelling
+I'd be there too."
+
+"Very good. If you think you can stand it, go on."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I knew you wouldn't go back on old Carey. I've been in
+every muss my troop has been in, and nobody ever hinted that I didn't do
+my duty."
+
+The captain nodded his head and waved his hand in token of dismissal,
+and the trooper hurried away.
+
+Up to this time George Ackerman had always messed with the officers, but
+that night he took supper with Bob's squad, because both he and they
+considered that he belonged to it. During the progress of the meal he
+reminded the corporal that the latter had promised to tell him a story.
+
+"Oh yes," said Bob, after thinking a moment. "I was telling you, I
+believe, that if Mr. Wentworth killed that Indian he would be arrested
+and tried for murder. Well, that's an Indian's idea of justice, and it
+seems to be the agents' idea too. The Indians think they have a perfect
+right to kill and scalp whenever they feel like it, but if a white man
+kills one of them it is an awful thing. If they can't get hold of the
+man who did the shooting or any of his relations, they look to the
+government for pay. On a certain occasion a scouting-party of ten men
+was surprised and utterly wiped out. The surprise was so complete that
+every one of the party was killed at the first fire, with the exception
+of a corporal, who had just time to knock over two of the reds before he
+too was shot. Shortly afterward a peace was patched up, and a band of
+braves came in, bringing with them an old woman for whom they asked a
+government pension because her two sons had fallen in battle. Inquiries
+were made, and it turned out that these two sons were the very Indians
+who had been killed by the corporal. What do you think of such
+impudence?"
+
+George did not know what to think of it, and probably the reader doesn't
+either; but this very incident is on record.
+
+By daylight the next morning the camp was deserted. The main body of the
+troops was riding rapidly toward Fort Lamoine, and a few miles behind it
+came the herd which Captain Clinton had recaptured. It was moving
+leisurely along in front of Mr. Wentworth and George, who controlled it
+with less difficulty than the rest of the squad would have experienced
+in managing a dozen cattle. Behind them came Bob and his men, with the
+two boys, who were mounted on a couple of their father's horses which
+had been found with the herd. George's quick eye had already noticed
+that there were at least half a dozen different brands among the cattle,
+and he told himself that when the animals bearing these brands had been
+delivered up to their lawful owners, Mr. Wentworth would have very
+little stock left.
+
+Bob and his troopers enjoyed this "picnic" by being lazy. They had
+nothing to do worth speaking of but to follow along in the rear of the
+herd and talk to the boys, the most of the work being performed by
+George and Mr. Wentworth, who during the first part of the journey
+managed the cattle both day and night. They offered to assist in any way
+they could, but the practised herders did not need them, and besides,
+they were afraid to trust them.
+
+"I don't want to lose these steers and horses again, after all the
+trouble I have had to get them," Mr. Wentworth always replied. "I know
+you are good soldiers, or else you couldn't have got my boys back for
+me; but you can't herd cattle. The least awkward movement on your part
+would send them galloping back toward the Staked Plains again. Wait
+until they get over their fright, and then you can try your hands at
+guarding them during the night."
+
+On the afternoon of the fifth day Bob noticed that George's field-glass
+was often brought into requisition both by himself and Mr. Wentworth,
+and on riding forward to inquire the cause of it, he was informed that
+they were looking for Mr. Taylor's ranche.
+
+"And who is Mr. Taylor?" was Bob's next question.
+
+"He is one of Mr. Wentworth's neighbors who was raided by the Indians.
+We know it, for we have some of his cattle with us; but whether or not
+they did him any damage beyond stealing his stock, we don't know; and we
+can't tell, either, until we find his house if it is still standing, or
+the ruins of it if it has been destroyed."
+
+"Then we must be getting pretty near our journey's end," said Bob, whose
+arms and shoulders began to ache when he thought of the tedious routine
+of drill and guard-duty upon which he must enter as soon as he returned
+to the fort.
+
+"I don't know what you mean by _near_," replied George. "The fort is all
+of a hundred and fifty miles from here, and we are not going toward it.
+We are going toward Holmes's ranche; and even if we have the best of
+luck, it will take us two weeks to get there."
+
+"That sounds better," said Bob, who was greatly relieved. "When you
+spoke of Mr. Wentworth's neighbors, I was afraid that our
+pleasure-excursion was about to be brought to an end, for he doesn't
+live so _very_ far from the fort, you know."
+
+"It's just over there," shouted Mr. Wentworth at this moment. "I see
+cattle, and that proves that the raiders didn't scoop Taylor as they did
+me. Now look sharp; we've got rounding out enough to do already."
+
+"What does he mean by that?" asked Bob.
+
+"He means that we mustn't allow our cattle to mix in with Mr. Taylor's,
+for if we do we shall have to round them all out again. By 'rounding
+out' we mean separating the different herds from each other; and that is
+something that none but good herdsmen can do. It requires skill and a
+big stock of patience, I tell you. Just let a few green hands try it,
+and see how much they would make at it. Why, they would scare the cattle
+so that they would run clear out of the State."
+
+Although Mr. Wentworth had declared that Mr. Taylor's ranche was "just
+over there," our friends did not reach it that day, nor until late in
+the afternoon of the next. Before they got there they knew just what Mr.
+Taylor's experience with the Kiowa raiders had been, for they had passed
+two or three of his herds, whose keepers had told them all about it. The
+Indians had suddenly made their appearance, coming from the south, and
+driving before them a large number of cattle; and although they had not
+come within five miles of Mr. Taylor's ranche, they had picked up one of
+his small herds which happened to be in their path.
+
+Our friends camped that night close by Mr. Taylor's ranche, which proved
+to be a perfect little fort. It was built of heavy stone, was well
+supplied with provisions, and defended by five stalwart fellows who were
+armed with Winchester rifles. The raiders would have had a nice time of
+it if they had come there. The owner listened in great surprise to Mr.
+Wentworth's story, made much of his boys, and would not let him and
+George "round out" the stock that bore his brand.
+
+"You're welcome to the steers, neighbor," said he. "I've got more left
+than I can take care of if the Kiowas bounce me as earnestly as they did
+you, and you will need them to help you start a new herd."
+
+This same thing was repeated by every one of the half a dozen other
+ranchemen to whom Mr. Wentworth offered to surrender their stock. They
+all sympathized with him, and wanted to aid him by every means in their
+power. The result was, that our friends arrived within one day's march
+of their journey's end with just as many cattle as they had when they
+left the Staked Plains. Although Mr. Wentworth had been "completely
+cleaned out," he was still worth something like twenty thousand dollars.
+
+George and his party made their last camp a short distance from the
+cabin of a squatter, who rode over to see them during the evening. He
+went home about ten o'clock, and George and his companions lay down on
+their blankets, leaving the herd to the care of four mounted troopers.
+The latter, who during the journey had exhibited the greatest eagerness
+to learn something of the mysteries of cattle-herding, had so far
+progressed in knowledge and skill as to be able to stand guard at night,
+and to give George and Mr. Wentworth an opportunity to obtain the rest
+of which they began to stand so much in need. About midnight George
+mounted his horse and rode around the herd to assure himself that
+everything was just as it should be. He went on horseback, because
+everybody rides while working about Texas cattle. If a man should
+venture among them on foot during the daytime, his life would be in
+danger; and if he went around them at night, he would probably stampede
+the whole herd.
+
+"All serene," said Loring, who was the first guard George encountered
+during his rounds. "The moon shines so brightly that I can see the
+movements of every steer in the drove."
+
+"If we were a little nearer the river perhaps things wouldn't be quite
+so serene," answered George. "The Mexicans take just such a night as
+this for their raids."
+
+About an hour after George had retired to his blanket Loring noticed
+that the cattle began to show signs of uneasiness. Those that were
+standing up began to move about, those that were lying down arose and
+moved about with them, and presently the whole herd was in motion. The
+cattle did not attempt to run away, but walked restlessly about, as if
+they were unable to find a place that suited them.
+
+"Suke, thing! suke, thing!" said Loring coaxingly.
+
+The travelled reader would have said at once that Loring was a
+Southerner; and if he could have heard Phillips on the other side of the
+cattle trying to soothe them with "Co-boss! co-boss!" he would have said
+that Phillips was from the North. But the cattle did not understand
+either of them, or if they did they paid no attention to them. Their
+restlessness increased every moment, and finally Loring, good soldier
+though he was, deserted his post and started for camp as fast as he
+could make his horse walk.
+
+"Ackerman," said he in an excited voice, "get up. There is something
+wrong with those cattle."
+
+George was on his feet in an instant. One glance at the herd was enough.
+
+"I should say there was something wrong!" he exclaimed. "How long has
+this thing been going on?"
+
+"Not more than five minutes."
+
+"Which way are they looking," continued George.
+
+"Every way, but the most of them keep their heads in that direction,"
+said Loring, waving his arm toward the south.
+
+"Call everybody in camp while I speak to Bob and Mr. Wentworth. No noise
+now. I am afraid we are going to have trouble."
+
+In less than two minutes all the troopers had been aroused, and George
+was holding an earnest consultation with Mr. Wentworth and the corporal.
+"I've seen cattle act that way before," said he, speaking as rapidly as
+he could make his tongue move, for time was precious; "and if we were a
+little nearer the river I could easily tell what is the matter with
+them; but I never heard of the Greasers coming so far into the country
+as this, and it may be nothing but nervousness that's troubling them.
+My advice would be to mount the men and move them quietly in line on the
+north side of the herd, and perhaps by making such a show of numbers we
+can keep them within bounds until they are quieted down.--What do you
+say, Mr. Wentworth?"
+
+"It is the only thing that can be done," replied Mr. Wentworth, who
+seemed to be greatly excited and alarmed; "and even that is a slim
+chance.--Make haste, corporal. Do all you can for me, for if I lose this
+herd I shall be ruined, sure enough."
+
+"Catch up!" commanded Bob.
+
+"Look here," said George, seizing his friend by the shoulder and
+speaking with all the earnestness he could throw into his tones: "if you
+get in line in front of those cattle, and they start to run toward you,
+don't try to stop them, for you can't do it, any more than we could stop
+those buffaloes the other night. Run before them, and gradually draw off
+to the right or left of them, and you will get safely off; otherwise
+they will certainly run over you. But I am afraid it is too late to do
+anything," added George as he noted the increasing restlessness of the
+cattle.
+
+"It is too late! it is too late!" exclaimed Mr. Wentworth, rubbing his
+hands nervously together. "There they go!"
+
+Even as he spoke a noise like the rumbling of distant thunder sounded in
+their ears, and instantly the whole herd made off at the top of its
+speed. Looking over the mass of horns and tails that was tossed wildly
+in the air, the troopers were horrified to see Phillips standing
+directly in front of it. Being fully determined to do his duty to the
+utmost, the brave fellow sat in his saddle, swinging his arms about his
+head, and no doubt shouting at the top of his voice to stop the advance
+of the frightened herd, which was bearing down upon him with the
+resistless power of an avalanche.
+
+"The man is crazy!" cried George in great alarm. Then, raising both
+hands to his face and using them as a speaking-trumpet, he yelled, with
+all the power of his lungs,
+
+"Run! run for your life!"
+
+Phillips afterward said that he did not hear what George said to him--in
+fact, he couldn't hear anything but the noise of those hoofs--but,
+seeing that if he remained where he was his death was certain, he
+wheeled his horse and fled with the speed of the wind. The last his
+friends saw of him was as he dashed over the top of a ridge, with the
+stampeded cattle close behind him. When they were all out of sight and
+the rumble of their hoofs had died away in the distance, the troopers
+turned to look at Mr. Wentworth. He stood with his hands in his pockets
+gazing disconsolately in the direction in which the herd had
+disappeared, but had nothing to say.
+
+"Now, here's a go!" whispered Bob, giving George a nudge in the ribs
+with his elbow. "What am I to do? This is something Captain Clinton
+didn't think to provide for, isn't it? I was ordered to go to Holmes's
+ranche with Mr. Wentworth, but I wasn't told to follow up and collect
+his cattle if they were stampeded."
+
+"You mustn't think of following them up," said George decidedly. "There
+is no man in the world who could get that same herd together again, for
+it will join others as soon as it gets over its fright; and how could we
+tell these cattle from others bearing the same brand? They are gone, and
+that's all there is of it. You must mount at once and see if you can
+find anything of Phillips."
+
+"All right!--Mr. Wentworth," said Bob, "we are very sorry for the loss
+you have sustained, but we have done all we could for you."
+
+"I know it, corporal, and I am very grateful to you and to the captain,
+who was kind enough to send you with me. Such things as these will
+happen sometimes, in spite of everything. Now I hardly know what to do."
+
+Neither would anybody else have known what to do under the same
+circumstances. Mr. Wentworth had no home, no property except his rifle
+and the horses he and his boys rode, no work to do, and but little to
+eat in his haversack. It was a trying situation for a man who but a few
+days before had been worth a fortune, and almost any one would have been
+disheartened.
+
+"I'll tell you what you can do," said George. "You can easily find your
+way to the Ackerman settlement, and if you go there and give Mr. Gilbert
+a note of introduction which I will write for you, he will take care of
+you until you can decide upon something."
+
+George did not feel at liberty to tell Mr. Wentworth all he had on his
+mind. As soon as he returned to the fort he intended to write to his
+guardian, asking him if he might furnish Mr. Wentworth with a
+sufficient number of cattle from his own herds to give the impoverished
+man a new start in life. Of course Mr. Wentworth had a few cattle of his
+own among those that had just run off, but it would take some time to
+gather them up; and as he would not want to be troubled with his boys
+while he was engaged in the work, George intended to ask Mr. Gilbert to
+take care of them during their father's absence, and to lend Mr.
+Wentworth a few good herdsmen to assist him in getting his stock
+together. While he was thinking about it, and before Mr. Wentworth could
+thank him for his generous offer, something happened which told them
+very plainly that the stampede that had just taken place was not owing
+to the nervousness of the cattle, but to the presence of those of whom
+George Ackerman had every reason to stand in fear.
+
+Their attention was first attracted by some unusual sound. They could
+not have told what it was or from which direction it came, but they all
+heard it, and waited for it to be repeated, that they might locate and
+define it. There was a moment's silence, and then a chorus of wild yells
+arose on the night air, accompanied by the rapid discharge of firearms.
+The troopers looked at one another in blank amazement, and then at
+George, who was not long in assigning a cause for the disturbance.
+
+"The Greasers are attacking the squatter," he exclaimed; and he was
+quite as much astonished to be called upon to say it as the troopers
+were to hear it. It must be a strong and daring band that would venture
+so far into the country, and almost involuntarily George whispered the
+name of Fletcher. Bob was quick to decide upon his course. He knew just
+what Captain Clinton would expect of him if he were there.
+
+"Mr. Wentworth," said he, "we must lend that man a helping hand. As you
+can't go with us on account of your boys, you will have to look out for
+yourself and them."
+
+"And I am just the man who can do it," replied Mr. Wentworth. "Good-bye
+and good luck to you! Shoot hard, and shoot to hit."
+
+"How cool and confident he is! I wish I had half his courage," thought
+Bob as he ordered his men into their saddles, following it up with the
+commands, "Forward! Trot! gallop!"
+
+The troopers fell into line as they moved off, and a few yards in
+advance of them rode George and Bob. The former could easily have taken
+the lead if he had desired to do so, but, knowing that he did not
+command the squad, he curbed his impatience as well as he could and kept
+close by his friend's side. The troopers unslung their carbines, George
+made ready his Winchester, while Bob, who believed as firmly in the
+virtues of "cold steel" as did the gallant officer whom he afterward
+accompanied on his last memorable march, drew his sabre. All on a sudden
+the firing ceased, and when the troopers rode over the brow of a ridge a
+few minutes later, they saw a thin blue smoke arising from the
+squatter's cabin, and that told them more than they wanted to know.
+George was both astonished and enraged at the sight--astonished to know
+that the raiders would stop during one of their marauding expeditions,
+when haste was so necessary, to attack and burn so humble a dwelling as
+the abode of the squatter, and enraged to see that they had been
+successful enough to do even that. There was a crowd of Mexicans around
+the building, and others with horses were standing close by.
+
+"Gobble the horses, Bob," said George, who was so highly excited that he
+could scarcely speak, "and then you can ride down and capture the
+raiders at your leisure."
+
+Bob caught the idea in an instant. Turning in his saddle, he waved his
+sabre over his head, but instead of giving the command "Charge!" he
+effectually closed the mouths of his followers, who had already opened
+their lips and drawn in a long breath preparatory to giving vent to
+their favorite yell, by saying in a low tone, "Silence!"
+
+Bob did not know whether or not this order had ever before been given
+during a charge, and, what was more, he did not care. His object was to
+cut the men who were lingering about the burning cabin off from their
+horses, and in order to do that he must get as close as he could to them
+before he was discovered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+The men about the cabin were so engrossed in their work of destruction,
+and the horse-guards were so intent on watching them, that Bob's advance
+was not discovered until he and his followers were within less than two
+hundred yards of the cabin. So entirely unexpected was their appearance
+that for a moment the cattle-thieves were struck motionless with
+astonishment; then they recovered their power of action, and those who
+were on foot made a rush for their horses. Some succeeded in reaching
+them, but others did not. Two or three of them fell before the carbines
+of the troopers, who opened a hot fire as soon as they saw that they
+were discovered, and the horse-guards, believing that the attacking
+party was backed up by a large force of soldiers which was close at
+hand, instantly put spurs to their nags and galloped off, taking the
+loose horses with them and leaving their companions to look out for
+themselves.
+
+"Throw down and throw up, Greasers!" commanded Corporal Owens as he
+dashed up to the cabin swinging his sabre over his head; and the order,
+which meant, "Throw down your weapons and throw up your hands," was
+obeyed by five sullen fellows, who muttered Spanish oaths between their
+teeth and looked mad enough to do almost anything.
+
+There was no fight at all. If there had been a shot fired at the
+troopers, they didn't know it. The party that had gone off with the
+horses outnumbered Bob's, and could, beyond a doubt, have driven them
+off the field if they had only thought so; but their surprise was
+complete, and, more than that, they were demoralized. The presence of
+the troopers they regarded as part of a pre-concerted plan to cut them
+off from the river, and that frightened them more than Bob's sudden
+onslaught.
+
+"Still another feather for your cap, Corporal Owens," said George, after
+he and Loring and a few others had taken a shot or two apiece at the
+retreating cattle-thieves, "and nobody hurt on our side, either. Now
+I--What are you doing here? Is this the way you keep your promise?"
+
+These questions were addressed to one of the prisoners, who took off his
+sombrero and scratched his head as if he were trying to stir up his
+ideas so that he could make some reply to these peremptory
+interrogations.
+
+"Springer," continued George, slowly, "what are you doing here? Where's
+the squatter?"
+
+"In there," replied the cattle-thief, jerking his head toward the cabin,
+which was now fairly ablaze and sending out so much heat that the
+troopers were obliged to draw away from it. "He never would have touched
+him, Fletcher wouldn't, if he had kept in the house an' left us alone;
+but he plumped one of us over when we fust came up; an' this here is the
+consequence," added Springer, nodding his head toward the cabin again.
+
+George knew why it was that the cattle-thieves had stopped to destroy
+the squatter's house. He had killed one of their number, and they, in
+turn, had killed him after a hard fight, and it was now too late to
+recover his body or to save a single thing the cabin contained.
+
+"So this is the fellow who twice befriended you, is it?" said Bob, who
+was surprised to hear George call one of the prisoners by name. "Don't
+you think it would be a good plan to chuck him into the fire too?"
+
+"_I_ do," said Loring fiercely.
+
+Springer drew a little nearer to George for protection.
+
+"I didn't have any hand in it," said he earnestly--"honor bright, I
+didn't. I can explain everything, so that you can see that I am not to
+blame for being here."
+
+"Carey," exclaimed Bob, "go back to Mr. Wentworth and give him his
+choice between taking care of himself and going to the fort with us.
+Hurry up, now.--If I only had a spade or two, I would make these
+prisoners bury their dead comrades."
+
+"Springer," said George, "can these friends of yours understand
+English?"
+
+The cattle-thief replied that they could not; they were all Mexicans.
+
+"I am glad to hear it, for I want to ask you a few questions before you
+explain how you came to be here. Did Fletcher have his whole band with
+him to-night?"
+
+"Not half of 'em," was the reply; "he had only about thirty men."
+
+"How many has he in all?"
+
+"Two hundred or so."
+
+"Does he still make his head-quarters at the Don's ranche?"
+
+"Yes; but look here, Mr. George," said Springer earnestly; "if you are
+goin' over there after him, be mighty careful. You know what sort of a
+looking place that ranche is--all stone, you know--an' them fellows is
+all old soldiers, an' they'll fight awful."
+
+George nodded his head as if to say that he knew all about that, and
+spent some minutes in questioning the prisoner in regard to the road
+that led to the ranche, while Bob sat by on his horse and listened. By
+the time George had heard all he wanted to know, and Springer had told
+how he had been arrested by the officer at Eagle Pass and rescued by
+Fletcher, Carey came back.
+
+"Mr. Wentworth will take care of himself," reported the trooper. "He
+says that if he went to the fort he would have to come back to Holmes's
+ranche, anyway--he is going to make his home there for a while, for he
+and Holmes were boys together--and so he might just as well go there in
+the first place, and save time and travelling. He sent his best wishes
+to everybody, and hopes we will catch all the scoundrels who wiped out
+the squatter."
+
+"I wish we could," said Bob, facing about in his saddle and gazing in
+the direction in which the thieves had retreated; "but we have five
+prisoners to take care of, and so our hands are tied."
+
+"You just ought to have seen him, corporal," continued Carey. "He had
+thrown his three horses in a sort of triangle by tying their feet
+together and tripping them up in some way, and there he lay with his
+boys behind his living breastworks, all ready for a fight. Grit to the
+last, wasn't he? When I asked him why he hadn't mounted and dug out as
+soon as we left, he said that that wouldn't have been safe, for he might
+have run right in among the Greasers before he knew it."
+
+"Well, boys," said Bob, gazing sorrowfully at the glowing bed of coals
+that covered the site of the squatter's cabin, "there is nothing more we
+can do here, and so we will make a break for the fort."
+
+"Look here, corporal," said one of the troopers: "if you are going to
+make us carry double with those dirty Greasers, I am going to kick."
+
+"Don't you worry," answered Bob. "I shouldn't do it myself, and of
+course I sha'n't ask you to do it. They'll have to walk.--Springer, draw
+these Mexican gentlemen up in line."
+
+Springer gave the necessary order in Spanish, and it was sullenly
+obeyed.
+
+"Just remind them, Springer, that if they don't step faster than that
+somebody may hasten their movements with a prod from the point of a
+sabre," said Bob angrily. "We are in no humor to stand a great deal of
+nonsense from them. Now, right-face them; that's better.--Fall in around
+them, squad, four on each flank and four in the rear. Forward,
+march!--Now, George, which way is the fort from here?"
+
+"Off there," replied George, "but I am going to take you to the
+river-trail."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"So that you can get something to eat."
+
+If they had been a little farther down the river, say about twenty-five
+miles, George would have taken them to his own house. It would have
+given him no little pleasure to entertain these companions of a long,
+toilsome and dangerous scout under his own roof; but of course he could
+not think of leading them out of their way in order to do it. They found
+plenty to eat after they reached the river-trail, but the ranchemen at
+whose houses they halted could give them no information concerning the
+raiders. They had been on that side of the river, and had gone back
+empty-handed, and that was all the ranchemen knew about the matter. This
+made it plain that Bob's gallant dash had not been without its effect.
+It had frightened the thieves so thoroughly that they dared not stop to
+pick up any of the cattle they found in their way.
+
+Bob and his troopers camped that night near a farm-house whose owner was
+so delighted to see the five prisoners they had brought with them, and
+to learn of the success that had attended them ever since Captain
+Clinton sent them off by themselves, that he insisted on giving them a
+seat at his table. The next morning he gave them a breakfast; but the
+first squad who went in--which included Bob and George--had scarcely
+taken possession of their chairs when one of the sentries was heard
+calling lustily for the corporal of the guard. Bob excused himself and
+ran out, only to return again almost immediately and startle everybody
+with the order, "Boots and saddles!" George jumped up from the table,
+wondering what was the matter. When he reached the porch he found out.
+About a mile up the trail was a long column of blue-coats coming down at
+a sweeping trot.
+
+"They are our boys, and they are after the Greasers," exclaimed Bob, as
+George came down the steps. "It's lucky we are here, for you are the
+very man they want if they are going across the river.--Catch up, boys,
+and fall in just as we do when we are on the march, only face to the
+left, so as to front the column when it comes up."
+
+If we have a reader who is familiar with cavalry tactics, he will have
+discovered, long before this time, that Corporal Owens was not at all
+particular as to the orders he gave, provided he could make his men act
+to suit him. When in the presence of his superiors he always gave the
+proper commands, in order to save himself from the reproof that would
+have promptly followed the slightest departure from the tactics; but
+when he was in command of a scouting-party he was decidedly free and
+easy. Even an old trooper might have been puzzled over this last order,
+but the men who had marched with him so many miles were quick to catch
+his meaning and prompt to carry out his wishes; so that when the whole
+available cavalry force of Fort Lamoine, numbering two hundred men, came
+sweeping by the farm-house a few minutes later, with Captain Clinton
+riding at the head, they were astonished to see Bob's little squad drawn
+up in a hollow square, with their prisoners in the centre. Of late there
+had been a good many anxious inquiries made concerning these very men,
+and here they were, safe and sound, and, wonderful to tell, with more
+prisoners to show what good soldiers they were.
+
+"Three cheers for the 'Brindles,' the old reliables!" shouted the
+sergeant-major; and the yells that arose from two hundred pairs of
+strong lungs could have been heard a long distance away.
+
+George lifted his cap in response to a nod of recognition from Captain
+Clinton, and in obedience to a sign from him rode over to his side; but
+Bob and his men sat in their saddles as stiff as so many posts, looking
+straight to the front. When the next call for cheers came, however, it
+almost knocked Bob over.
+
+"Three cheers for Sergeant Owens!" shouted a "Brindle;" and then came
+three more yells, followed by a "tiger" as loud and piercing as an
+Indian war-whoop. During his absence Bob had been promoted in general
+orders for gallantry, his pay as sergeant to begin on the day he rescued
+Mr. Wentworth's boys from the hands of the Kiowas.
+
+Presently the bugle sounded, and the column came to a halt. The officers
+at once fell out and crowded around George, who, in as few words as
+possible, told Captain Clinton what Bob's squad had been doing since the
+captain left them back there on the borders of the Staked Plains. The
+officers were all very much pleased, especially Lieutenant Earle, who
+for a moment threw off his dignity and rode up to thank the members of
+the squad which had brought so much credit upon the troop he commanded.
+
+"Sergeant," said he, extending his hand--which Bob accepted after
+running his own hand through his sword-knot and dropping his sabre by
+his side--"I congratulate you and all your men. You have done well."
+
+Bob managed to stammer out something about being glad to have pleased
+the lieutenant, and the latter, after ordering them to sheathe their
+sabres, went on to tell how he had followed the Indians in his front
+until his men and horses were nearly exhausted and almost dead for want
+of water, and how he had finally returned to the fort a day behind the
+column, utterly disgusted with his want of success, to find that some of
+his own troop had carried off the honors of the scout. He was proud to
+command such men.
+
+Meanwhile, Captain Clinton and George were engaged in an earnest
+consultation. The former told the young scout that he been sent out to
+punish the raiders who had just recrossed the river, and that he was
+going to do it, too. He was going to drive them out of their stronghold,
+and George must show him the way to it. His men had already had their
+coffee, but as George and the rest of Bob's squad had had none, they
+might stay there at the farm-house until they had eaten the breakfast
+that had been prepared for them, and then ride on rapidly and overtake
+the column, which would move down the trail at a trot. This having been
+decided upon, a squad was made up of details from the different
+companies to take charge of the prisoners, and the command given to a
+corporal, who was instructed to take them to the fort. Then the column
+rode on, the corporal marched off with his captives, and Bob and his
+troopers went back to the farm-house to eat their breakfast.
+
+During the meal George Ackerman, who had thus far been one of the gayest
+of the party, was very silent and thoughtful. It was almost impossible
+for any one to get a word out of him. His face was as white as a sheet,
+but although everybody noticed it, Bob Owens was the only one who could
+account for it. When they had satisfied their appetites they went out to
+hold the horses, so that the rest of the squad could come in, and George
+and the new sergeant, who was not a little elated over his unexpected
+promotion, led their nags off on one side, so that they could converse
+without being overheard.
+
+"I know just how it is," said Bob, "for I have felt so ever since
+Captain Clinton ordered me to follow up that trail. When you know that a
+good many lives besides your own depend upon a decision you may have to
+make in an instant of time, I tell you it is rather trying to a
+fellow's nerves. I used to envy the colonel and all the other high
+officers in the garrison, but I wouldn't give up my little sergeant's
+berth for double the money they make. There's too much responsibility
+connected with the positions they hold."
+
+George told himself that that was just the objection to his own
+position. He began to see that being a scout meant something. There were
+two hundred men in Captain Clinton's command, and what if they should
+all be sacrificed by some blunder on his part?
+
+As soon as the rest of the troopers had eaten breakfast, and Bob had
+thanked the farmer for his hospitality, the troopers sprang into their
+saddles and galloped after the column. When they overtook it George rode
+up beside the captain, and the Brindles, without creating the least
+confusion, fell into their usual places--all except Bob Owens, who did
+not belong in the ranks any longer. Being second sergeant, his place was
+in the rear of his company, "opposite the left file of the rear four;"
+and that was the position he fell into as soon as he had reported the
+arrival of his squad to the lieutenant.
+
+"Well, Ackerman," said Captain Clinton as the boy galloped up beside
+him, "we are in your hands. We want to go to the nearest ford, and we
+don't want to get there before dark."
+
+"Very good, sir. If you will move the column in that direction," said
+George, indicating a 'right oblique,' "you will cut off twenty miles,
+and besides, you can walk all the way, and save your horses for a rapid
+eighteen-mile ride that must come as soon as we cross the river."
+
+We need not dwell upon the incidents of that day's march, or enlarge
+upon the feeling of suspense that George Ackerman experienced during
+that "rapid eighteen-mile ride" to which he had referred. It will be
+enough to say that they crossed the ford just after dark in safety; that
+George, without the least difficulty, found the narrow road that led
+from the river to Don Miguel's ranche; that at his suggestion the column
+marched "right by twos," which changed the troopers from four to two
+abreast, Captain Clinton and George riding at the head; that they moved
+as silently as possible, so as not to alarm any of the people living
+along the route, and rapidly, in order to reach the ranche before the
+cattle-thieves could receive notice of their approach; and that at the
+end of two hours they galloped into the valley and saw Fletcher's
+stronghold in plain view before them. A single glance at it showed them
+that they had arrived just in the nick of time. The courtyard was
+lighted up with lanterns, excited men were moving to and fro, loud
+voices were heard shouting out words of command, and the whole interior
+of the building presented a scene of the wildest commotion. Some
+watchful friend had got ahead of the column and warned the thieves, and
+they were gathering up their plunder preparatory to beating a hasty
+retreat. They were on the watch too, for the column had scarcely made
+its appearance when a sentry called out, "Who is it?" (equivalent to
+"Who goes there?"), following up his challenge with the cry of "The
+Americans! the Americans!"
+
+George afterward said that he never had a very clear idea of what
+happened during the next few minutes. He remembered that he heard the
+bugle sound a charge; that he dashed through the arched stone gateway at
+headlong speed side by side with Captain Clinton; and that the rapid
+discharge of firearms rang in his ears, accompanied by the cries of the
+cattle-thieves, who fled in every direction, and such cheers and yells
+from the troopers as he had never heard before. When he came to
+himself, his horse, which seemed to enter fully into the spirit of the
+matter, was dancing about in front of a pile of forage that filled one
+end of the courtyard. When George saw it he threw himself from his
+saddle and caught up a lantern.
+
+"I have seen the inside of this hole for the last time," said he to
+himself. "If Fletcher lives to make a prisoner of me, he shall not bring
+me to this ranche, and neither shall he harbor here to raid on my
+stock."
+
+As these thoughts passed through the boy's mind he smashed the glass
+globe of the lantern with one savage kick, and picking up the lamp
+applied the flame to the pile of forage. He set it on fire in half a
+dozen different places, and then turned and threw the lamp into one of
+the nearest rooms, which seemed to be well filled with something. When
+he had done that he was frightened. What if it was powder in there? But,
+fortunately, it wasn't. It was some combustible matter that blazed up
+fiercely, sending huge volumes of flames out of the door and lighting up
+the courtyard, which was now occupied only by American troopers. The
+cattle-thieves had behaved just as they did when Bob Owens so gallantly
+attacked a portion of their number at the squatter's cabin. They fled
+in hot haste, making their escape by the roof, by doors whose existence
+George never dreamed of, and by squeezing themselves through the narrow
+openings that served the ranche in the place of windows. And, strange to
+tell, there was no one injured on either side. Having satisfied himself
+on this point by searching all the rooms to make sure that there were no
+dead or wounded men in them, the captain ordered his troopers into the
+saddle and departed as rapidly and silently as he had come. George
+looked over his shoulder now and then, and when he saw the thick clouds
+of smoke that arose in the air growing thicker and blacker, he told
+himself that he had made sure work of the old ranche, and that it would
+never serve the cattle-thieves for a harboring-place again.
+
+Of course there was an "investigation" made by the Mexican government,
+but if it ever amounted to anything, George never heard of it. The
+expedition certainly had a moral effect, and no doubt that was just what
+the department commander wanted. A body of Mexican troops was ordered to
+the river almost immediately, and after that the raiders were by no
+means as bold as they had formerly been. They crossed the Rio Grande
+now and then lower down, toward Eagle Pass, but the troopers there were
+on the alert, and after they had thrashed the thieves a few times on
+their own ground, and some of their leaders had been arrested by the
+Mexican authorities, the Texans began to feel comparatively safe.
+
+George Ackerman was kept actively employed at the fort much longer than
+he thought he would be when he first went there. By order of Colonel
+Brown he crossed the river on several occasions disguised in his Mexican
+suit, and he always brought back some information concerning the
+raiders; and once he came so near being captured by his old enemy,
+Fletcher, that it was a wonder how he escaped. But long before this
+happened Gus Robbins had received his discharge as a minor, and gone
+back to Foxboro', a wiser if not a happier boy; Bristow had found his
+way into the military prison at Fort Leavenworth; and the cattle-thieves
+whom Bob Owens had captured at the squatter's cabin had been turned over
+to the civil authorities. George did all he could to secure Springer's
+release, but his efforts were unavailing, and with his companions he was
+sentenced to the penitentiary for a long term of years. Mr. Wentworth
+had come out all right. With the aid of his friend, Mr. Holmes, he had
+gathered up all his cattle that had been stampeded by the Mexican
+raiders, and rebuilt his ranche in a more substantial manner, and he and
+his boys made it a point to visit the post very frequently to see the
+men who had rendered them such signal service.
+
+The months wore on, the raids in Colonel Brown's district grew less and
+less frequent until they ceased altogether, and then the colonel told
+George that he might go home if he so desired. He did desire it, for he
+was growing tired of life among the soldiers, and besides, he knew it
+would be a waste of time for him to remain at the fort when he could no
+longer be of any use there. So, after taking leave of the officers and
+of the men who had accompanied him on his expeditions, he mounted his
+horse, took his pack-mule by the halter and set out. The troopers, who
+had assembled at the gate to see him go, cheered him lustily as he rode
+through their ranks, and George carried away with him the assurance that
+their feelings toward him were very unlike those with which they had
+regarded him when he first made his appearance at the fort.
+
+Sergeant Owens never lost the position he held in the estimation of both
+officers and men. He did his duty faithfully, never squandered a cent of
+his pay at the sutler's store, and at last had the satisfaction of
+telling himself that he had refunded every cent of the _Mail Carrier's_
+money, interest included. He kept up a regular correspondence with his
+father, who told him he was proud of the record he had won, and said
+everything he could to encourage him. One thing that pleased Bob was the
+knowledge of the fact that everybody in and about Rochdale was familiar
+with his history. They knew just what he had done when the steamer Sam
+Kendall was burned, and the particulars of his exploit on the Staked
+Plains had been published in the papers. He would go home a hero,
+instead of sneaking back like a thief in the night; and that is
+something that runaway boys don't often do.
+
+George Ackerman was glad to get back to his ranche again. He thoroughly
+enjoyed the quiet life he led there, it was so different from the life
+of bustle and excitement he had led at the fort. One bright moonlight
+night, while he was pacing up and down the porch, thinking over old
+times, and wondering what Bob Owens and the rest of the boys were doing
+at the fort, he was aroused from the reverie into which he had fallen by
+the sound of horses' hoofs on the trail. He stopped abruptly, and after
+listening a moment heard the clanking of sabres mingling with the sound
+of the horses' feet. Greatly surprised, George descended the steps, and
+walking out to the trail discovered a long line of horsemen approaching.
+There was no need that he should ask who they were or where they came
+from, for as soon as they saw him they greeted him vociferously. They
+were troopers from Fort Lamoine. They rode on past the ranche, but two
+men who were riding at the head of the column turned off and came up to
+him. One was Mr. Gilbert and the other was Captain Clinton.
+
+"Why, captain," exclaimed George, "this is an unexpected pleasure. May I
+ask where you are going? You'll not march any farther to-night?"
+
+"No, we're not going any farther," was the answer. "I was about to camp
+near Mr. Gilbert's ranche, but when I happened to mention your name, he
+told me that you lived only ten miles away; so I came on, thinking that
+perhaps you would like to see the boys again for the last time. We're
+going up to Fort Lincoln to join General Terry," continued the captain,
+as he dismounted and gave his horse up to one of George's herdsmen.
+"That's in Dakota, you know. A determined--and, I hope,
+successful--effort is about to be made to crush that old rascal, Sitting
+Bull, by throwing three strong columns upon him--one under Crook from
+the south, another under Gibbon from the west, and the third under Terry
+from the east. There's where your old friends the 'Brindles' are going.
+I suppose it doesn't make any difference to you where we camp?"
+
+"Of course not," replied George. "There is plenty of grass and water
+close at hand. Come into the house, both of you. I want to hear all
+about that great expedition."
+
+Were there not exciting times in the ranche that night? and didn't
+George find the greatest satisfaction in acting as host to the men with
+whom he had so often messed at the fort? The supper was the best the
+house could afford, and all the officers in the column sat down to it.
+When they had talked themselves out, and were about to go to camp,
+George asked and obtained permission for Sergeant Owens and all the
+members of his old squad to come in and visit him. Then there was
+another supper to be eaten and another long conversation to be had, and
+the consequence was that when reveille was sounded no one in that ranche
+had had a wink of sleep.
+
+Bob Owens rode away with his command that morning, and it was a long
+time before George heard of him again. He left Fort Lincoln with General
+Terry, went off with Custer on that memorable scout, and when that
+officer divided his command into three detachments, Sergeant Owens was
+one of those who were detailed to remain behind with the packs. He heard
+all of that terrible fight on that bright Sunday afternoon when Reno was
+defeated and Custer fell with so many of his devoted followers. He took
+part in the closing scenes of it, for when the packs were ordered up,
+about six o'clock in the evening, he was under fire from that time until
+nine, and saw eighteen of his companions killed and forty-six wounded.
+He marched back to Fort Lincoln with the remnants of the expedition,
+which had been whipped at every point by the wily old savage it had
+hoped to crush, and was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, where he received
+his honorable discharge. Then he went home, and he is there now, living
+on the best of terms with everybody, especially David Evans. Although he
+was kept in the army long months beyond his time, he does not complain,
+for it gives him the opportunity to refer, when speaking of his frontier
+experience, to the "time when he was with Custer."
+
+George Ackerman is living in his Texas home, managing his own affairs
+with the assistance of an occasional word from Mr. Gilbert, and keeping
+up a regular correspondence with his friend Bob Owens, whom he hopes
+some day to see at his ranche again. He has never heard from his uncle
+John or from Ned since he parted from them in Galveston. George has seen
+some stirring times during his life, and has learned how to enjoy
+himself in a quiet way. He has accumulated a large fund of stories
+during his travels, and takes pleasure in relating them to any attentive
+listener. Of all the numerous adventures in which he had borne a part,
+he delights most to talk about those that befell him during his LIFE
+AMONG THE SOLDIERS.
+
+
+
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+   "himself to be could be coward" on page 106 is left as it
+   was in the original
+
+
+
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